mm 


fell 


in 


p 

pi 

|M| 

!ff$ 

:prr 
1 ■ 

!;M-P:’ 

| { 

,\  ;f,'  ' ■ ■ ■ >.•  • 

• ' '•  *«'  T , r g v--- 

;w&v 

m 

mm 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 


9>\6 

Rl4e 


/ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/eveningswithchilOOrams 


LIBRARY 
OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


Here  we  find  a railroad  ready  to  carry  us  to  Panama. 


Page  13. 


OR. 


€nk Is  in  %mma. 


MRS.  V.  G.  RAMSEY. 


1 'Boston : 

Published  by  O.  Pothrop  & Co. 

(Dover,  JV.  H. : <?,  T.  (Day  <&*  Co. 
i8yi. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1871, 
By  D.  LOTHROP  and  L.  R.  BURLINGAME, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


e 

tWe 


10 


d 

© 

c* 

CL 

m 

•H 

60 


fy  tk  Sang  ilnlbrm 

Whom  the  writer  has  personally  known  and  loved,  and 
to  those  also  whom  she  may  have  in  any  measure 
interested  with  her  pen, 

THIS  LITTLE  BOOK  IS  DEDICATED, 

WITH  THE  PRAYER, 

That  it  may  aid  them  in  the  acquisition  of  knowledge, 
and  thjjit  they  may  all  be  taught  of  Him 

WHOM  TO  KNOW  IS  LIFE  ETERNAL, 

* 

i 

i 

\ 


\ 


*0 

C^ 

>0 

o 

CO 

X 

€0 


CONTENTS. 


FIEST  EVENING. 

Studying  Geography —Desiring  to  learn  about  South  America.— 
Why  so  few  travelers  go  to  South  America.— Henry  and  Laura  start 
on  their  imaginary  journey.— Central  America.— The  railroad.— The 
forests.— Passion  - flowers,  Cactuses,  and  strange  Orchises.— The 
Nopal  plant.— The  Coccus  cacti.— Coccus  ilicis page  9. 

SECOND  EVENING. 

The  animals  of  Central  America.— Alligators.— The  Manati  or  Yaca 
Marina.— The  Boa  Constrictor,  Jaguar.— The  Carcojou,  Parrots, 
Mocking  birds,  Humming  birds,  Mexican  feather  work. — Vasco  Nu- 
nez de  Balboa page  22. 

THIRD  EVENING. 

Francisco  Pizarro.— Balboa’s  ship. — The  first  voyage  of  discovery 
in  the  Pacific  Ocean.— Perils  from  storms  and  famine.— The  inhospi- 
table shore.— Pizarro  sends  his  vessel  back  to  Panama  for  food.— 
Discovery  of  an  Indian  Village.— Groping  along  the  shore.— Battle 
with  the  Indians.— Return  to  Panama page  35. 

FOURTH  EVENING. 

Second  voyage  of  discovery  .—The  Peruvian  balsa.— First  meeting 
of  the  Spaniards  and  Peruvians.— Peruvian  civilization  and  origin 
of  the  Incas.— Cordilleras  of  the  Andes.— Crossing  the  equator. — 
Sufferings  of  the  adventurers.— Exploring  the  coast page  47. 

FIFTH  EVENING. 

Pizarro  goes  to  Spain.— Charles  V.  gives  him  authority  to  conquer 
and  possess  Peru.— The  first  armament  for  the  subjugation  of  the 
empire.— Civil  war  in  Peru.— Founding  the  city  of  San  Miguel.— 
Pizarro  proceeds  to  . meet  Atahuallpa.— The  Spaniards  cross  the 
mountains.— The  city  of  Caxamalca.— The  visit  of  the  Inca.— Spanish 
treachery,  and  cruel  massacre  of  the  Indians page  59. 


6 


Contents, 


SIXTH  EVENING. 

Atalmallpa  offers  to  fill  a room  with  gold.— Golden  ornaments  and 
utensils.— The  great  image  of  the  sun.— Pizarro  refuses  to  release 
his  prisoner.— Atalmallpa  is  sentenced  to  he  humed.— The  empire 
falls.— Improvidence  of  the  Spaniards.— The  conquerors  quarrel, 
and  destroy  each  other page  71. 

SEVENTH  EVENING. 

Henry  and  Laura  resume  their  travels.— The  city  of  Guayaquil.— 
Dress  and  manners  of  the  people— The  Indian,  the  Spanish  lady 
and  gentleman.— The  Panama  hat.— Safety  of  traveling.— The 
climate.— Tropical  fruits  and  snow  from  Chimborazo. —Splendid 
view  of  the  mountains page  80. 

EIGHTH  EVENING. 

* 

Going  to  Quito.— Bananas  and  plantains.— Oranges.— Lemons. — 
Pine-apples.— Cacao.— Coffee.— Rural  villages.— No  hotels.— Ascend- 
ing the  mountains.— Changes  in  climate  and  productions.— Chimbo- 
razo.—Frightful  mountain  paths.—' View  of  Quito page  90. 

NINTH  EVENING. 

The  city  of  Quito.— The  black  poncho.— The  Idleness  of  the  peo- 
ple.—Ladies  without  bonnets.— The  universal  politeness.— The 
Catholic  church,  its  influence. — The  perfect  climate . . .page  102. 

TENTH  EVENING. 

The  wonderful  mountains.— Attempts  to  ascend  Chimborazo.— 
Silence  of  the  mountains.— Pichincha.— Sublime  view  from  the  top. 
— The  great  crater. — The  snow  capped  mountain  on  the  equator. — 
The  great  earthquake  of  1868 page  112. 

ELEVENTH  EVENING. 

The  four  sheep  of  the  Incas.— The  number  and  importance  of  the 
llamas  at  the  time  of  the  conquest.— How  the  Indians  catch  the  wild 
llamas.— Pumas.—  Jaguars.—  Tapirs.— Peccaries.— Condors.— Hum- 
ming birds.— Reptiles  almost  unknown PAGE  122. 

TWELFTH  EVENING. 

Gonzalo  Pizarro.— El  Dorado.— The  Gilded  King.— The  city  of 
Manoa.— Pizarro’s  expedition  in  search  of  El  Dorado.—' Their  perils 
and  sufferings. — Cruelty  to  the  Indians. — Discovery  oftheNapo. — 
Pizarro  builds  a vessel page  131. 


Contents. 


7 


THIRTEENTH  EVENING. 

Orellana  goes  clown  the  Napo  in  search  of  food.— He  deserts  Pi- 
zarro,  and  proceeds  down  the  Amazon  to  the  sea.— Desperate  cir- 
cumstances of  Pizarro  and  his  party.— Their  return  to  Quito. — 
Madame  Godin page  141. 

FOURTEENTH  EVENING. 

Traveling  east  from  Quito.— Imhahura.— Cayambi.— Antisana.— 
Cotopaxi.— Descending  the  mountains.— Papallacta.— Entering  the 
forest.— The  Sindicaspi.— The  water  tree.— Parasites.— Silence  of 
the  forest.. page  154. 

FIFTEENTH  EVENING. 

The  river  Napo.— Mr.  Edwards’s  vanilla  plantation.— The  Yuca. — 
The  blow  gun.— The  Urari—  Catching  fish.— Bamboo.— Palms.— 
Napo  tea.— No  music  on  the  Napo page  165. 

SIXTEENTH  EVENING. 

The  Amazon.— Turtles.— Turtle  egg  butter.— The  steam-boat  on 
the  Amazon. — The  town  of  Ega.  — The  Manati.  — The  pirarucu. — 
The  cocoa  palm page  175. 

SEVENTEENTH  EVENING. 

The  caoutchouc  or  India  rubber  tree.— The  cow  - tree. — Annato.— 
Brazil  nuts.— Wild  cacao.— Suaba  ants.— Dragon-flies  and  butter- 
flies  PAGE  185. 

EIGHTEENTH  EVENING. 

Mouth  of  the  Rio  Negro  .—Town  of  Manaos.— The  aromatic  tonka 
beans.  — Mandioca.  — Valuable  woods.— The  Victoria  Regia.— The 
city  of  Para.— Madame  Ida  Pfeiffer page  194. 

NINETEENTH  EVENING. 

The  great  extent  of  Brazil.—  Matto  Grosso.— The  gold  mines.— 
Famine  among  the  miners.— Wonderful  cataracts  and  caverns. — 
Leaving  Para.— Great  tidal  waves.— Discovery  of  this  coast -Treach- 
ery off  Spaniards.— Three  expeditions  perish  on  the  coast,  page  206. 

TWENTIETH  EVENING. 

The  city  of  Maranham— The  city  of  Pernambuco.— The  republic 
of  Palmares.— The  cashew  tree. — The  cataract  of  Paulo  Affonso. — 
The  city  of  Bahia.— The  first  settler.— Henry  Martyn.— Prince  Maxi- 
milian.—Rio  de  Janeiro page  218. 


OR 


aviudo  in  foutlt  gUnma. 

FIRST  EVENING. 

TAKING  AN  IMAGINARY  JOURNEY. 

f^ENRY  and  Laura  had  been  study- 
ing their  geography  lesson,  which  was 
on  South  America,  and  were  busy 
trying  to  draw  a map  of  the  continent. 
They  had  succeeded  very  well  with  the  outline, 
and  were  " putting  in  the  filling,”  as  Henry  said. 

" Here,”  said  Laura,  marking  away  with  her 
pencil  on  the  eastern  side,  " the  Amazon,  the 


10  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

largest  river  in  the  world,  rolls  its  mighty  waters 
into  the  ocean.” 

" And  here,”  said  Henry,  making  turkey  tracks 
near  the  western  coast,  "here  are  the  Andes,  the 
longest  range  of  mountains  in  the  world ; and 
here  I shall  place  the  mighty  Aconcagua,  with  his 
snowy  head  piercing  the  skies,  and  here  is  Coto- 
paxi, the  tallest  of  volcanoes.” 

"And  here,”  continued  Laura,  "is  Patagonia, 
the  land  of  giants,  and  Terra  del  Fuego,  the  land 
of  fire,  in  the  midst  of  snow  and  ice.” 

Henry  laid  down  his  pencil,  and  turning  to  his 
mother,  who  was  sewing  by  the  table,  said  : 

" Do  tell  me,  mamma,  what  is  the  reason  no- 
body goes  to  South  America.  The  newspapers 
are  always  fulKof  letters  from  Europe,  and  I feel 
as  if  I had  been  a dozen  times  over  the  road  from 
Paris  to  Pome,  and  seen  the  Alps,  and  the  Rhine, 
and  the  Phone  ; and  we  hear  a good  deal  about 
Asia ; and  since  I read  Paul  Du  Chaillu’s  book,  I 
think  I know  something  about  Africa ; but  I 


Taking  an  Imaginary  Journey . 


11 


never  hear  of  anybody  who  has  been  to  South 
America,  though  it  seems  to  me  it  must  be  a very 
strange  and  interesting  country.” 

" It  is,  no  doubt,  a strange  and  interesting  coun- 
try,” replied  Mrs.  White;  "and  travelers  do 
sometimes  visit  it.  Have  you  not  heard  of  Prof. 
Agassiz’s  visit  to  the  valley  of  the  Amazon, 
and  of  Prof.  Orton’s  journey  across  the  Conti- 
nent ? ” 

Henry  blushed  slightly.  "Oh,  yes,”  he  said; 
" and  I tried  to  read  some  of  Prof.  Agassiz’s  let- 
ters, but  they  were  all  about  strata,  and  debris, 
and  shell  - fish,  with  names  I could  not  pronounce. 
I want  to  know  how  the  mountains  and  rivers 
and  animals  look  to  common  folks.  I wish  I 
could  go  and  see.” 

" And  are  you,  my  daughter,”  said  Mrs.  White, 
" so  anxious  to  become  acquainted  with  this  great 
country  of  which  you  hear  so  little  ? ” 

"Indeed,  I am,  mamma,”  Laura  replied.  "If 
I could  travel,  I think  I would  rather  go  to  South 


12  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

America  than  to  Europe.  If  I wrote  letters 
from  there*  I could  tell  of  something  that  every- 
body has  not  heard  of  over  and  over  again.” 

" It  is  very  true  that  travelers  go  to  Europe 
and  Asia  much  oftener  than  to  South  America, 
because  on  this  continent  there  are  no  great  works 
of  art,  no  wonders  of  architecture,  like  St.  Peter’s 
church,  nor  old  historic  associations  to  attract 
them ; but  the  country  has  not  been  so  much 
neglected  as  you  seem  to  suppose,  and,  if  you 
wish  for  information,  it  may  be  found.” 

"Qh,  yes,  I suppose  so,”  said  Henry ; "but 
you  know  we  have  not  time  to  read  big  books, 
even  if  we  had  them.” 

" Which  we  have  not ; and  so  we  must  content 
ourselves  with  what  Mitchell  says  about  it,”  Laura 
said,  taking  her  pencil,  and  resuming  her  work  on 
the  map. 

The  mother  laid  her  sewing  aside  and  took  up 
her  knitting. 

"You  might  travel  in  imagination,”  she  said ; 


Taking  an  Imaginary  Journey . 13 

" and  see  what  you  can  learn.  I will  be  your 
guide.” 

The  children  clapped  their  hands  with  delight, 
and  insisted  on  starting  at  once  on  their  journey . 

"Very  well,”  she  said;  "what  part  of  the 
country  do  you  wish  to  visit  first  ? ” 

They  agreed  that  the  western  coast  must  be  the 
most  interesting  on  account  of  its  great  mountain 
ranges. 

- " The  natural  features  of  the  western  coast  are 

no  doubt  the  most  wonderful  and  its  history  the 
most  interesting,”  said  the  mother. 

" Let  us  proceed,  at  once,”  cried  Henry  ; "and 
have  a few  lectures  on  history  as  we  go  along.” 

" Then  let  us  suppose  we  left  New  York  eight 
or  ten  days  ago  by  one  of  the  splendid  steamships 
on  this  line,  and  have  reached  the  City  of  Aspin- 
wall  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Here  we  find  a 
railroad  ready  to  convey  us  to  Panama,  on  the 
western  coast.  This  railroad,  over  which  we  pass 
with  such  rapidity  and  comfort,  was  built  at  great 


14 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


expense  of  life  and  property,  on  account  of  the 
very  unhealthy  climate  of  the  country  through 
which  it  passes.  It  has  been  said  that  it  cost  a 
man’s  life  for  the  length  of  every  rail.” 

" O mamma,  I wonder  it  was  ever  built !” 
cried  Laura. 

" You  see,  my  dear,  how  convenient  it  is  to  us, 
and,  before  the  completion  of  the  Pacific  railroad, 
it  was  more  necessary  than  now.  Then,  if  we 
had  wished  to  visit  California  or  the  western  coast 
of  South  America,  we  should  have  been  obliged 
to  cross  this  Isthmus  or  make  a long  voyage 
round  Cape  Horn.  Thirty  years  ago,  when  the 
tide  of  immigration  first  turned  towards  California, 
it  was  a difficult  and  perilous  undertaking  to  cross 
the  Isthmus,  though  it  is  less  than  thirty  miles 
wide.” 

" I should  not  mind  that,  with  a good  horse,” 
said  Henry. 

" But  this  country  is  very  different  from  any 
that  you  have  ever  seen.  Here  are  dangerous 


Taking  an  Imaginary  Journey . 15 

swamps  full  of  poisonous  reptiles,  and  covered 
with  pestilential  vapors ; here  are  forests,  with 
trees  so  large,  and  so  filled  with  underbrush,  and 
interwoven  with  vines,  that  it  is  very  difficult  to 
pass  through  them ; and  there  are  unbridged 
rivers,  and  precipitous  mountains ; but,  worst  of 
all,  the  route  was  infested  by  roving  bands  of  rob- 
bers.” 

"I  do  not  wonder  people  did  not  travel  in 
South  America  in  those  days ; but  we  are  gliding 
along  safely  enough  on  the  railroad,”  said  Laura, 
" and  I fancy  I can  see  those  dense  forests,  and 
great  trees  in  the  distance.  What  kind  of  trees 
are  they,  mamma  ? ” 

"The  mahogany  tree  grows  here,”  — 

"Ah,”  6aid  Henry,  examining  the  sofa  on 
which  he  was  sitting,  " this  is  beautiful  wood.” 
"Yes,  and  the  forest,  which  you  imagine  you 
see,  is  composed  largely  of  those  valuable  and 
beautiful  trees ; and  here,  also,  the  red  - wood,  or 
Nicaragua  - wood,  and  log  - wood  grow  in  great 


16  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

abundance.  You  see  the  great  trees  are  festooned 
with  enormous  vines,  and  covered  with  such  a 
profusion  of  gorgeous  blossoms  as  we  never  see 
in  the  North.  Here  the  cactuses,  and  passion- 
flowers, which  we  cultivate  with  so  much  care, 
grow  in  wild  abundance,  and  here  are  curious  par- 
asites and  strange  orchises  which  are  never  seen 
beyond  the  tropics.  For  some  of  these  the  na- 
tives have  great  reverence,  regarding  them  as  the 
symbols  of  spiritual  things  ; and  they  are,  indeed, 
very  wonderful.  One  resembles  a tiny  white 
dove,  perfect  even  to  the  little  red  bill,  nestling  in 
a crystal  cup ; and  as  the  passion-flower,  with  its 
cross  and  triple  crown,  suggests  the  crucifix- 
ion, this  reminds  us  of  the  Spirit  descending  in 
the  form  of  a dove,  and  lighting  on  Christ.” 
"How  very  curious,”  said  Laura;  "I  would 
go  a long  way  to  see  some  of  those  flowers.  Are 
they  not  cultivated  in  hot-houses  ? ” 

" I believe  no  plants  are  considered  so  diffi- 
cult of  cultivation  as  those  of  the  orchis  genus.” 


Talcing  an  Imaginary  Journey. 


17 


In  these  dark,  tropical  forests  and  pestilential 
swamps,  they  grow  in  the  greatest  abundance  and 
perfection  ; and  a few  species  are  found  here  in 
the  North,  by  those  who  are  willing  to  search  for 
them  in  unfrequented  woods.  They  seem  to  de- 
light in  wildness,  loneliness  and  desolation,  and 
they  disappear  at  the  approach  of  civilization,  and 
die  at  the  touch  of  man.” 

" Are  the  flowers  of  those  which  grow  here  so 
strange?”  said  Laura. 

"Not  so  wonderful  as  the  tropical  species,  but 
they  are  all  very  strange  and  grotesque  in  their 
forms.  When  I was  a child,  I knew  a dark  place 
in  the  forest,  where,  in  the  month  of  June,  I 
could  find  a curious  flower,  which  looked  like  a 
pink  bumble-bee,  sitting  on  a stalk  so  slender 
that  it  bent  under  its  weight.  I have  often  filled 
my  hands  with  them,  quite  unconscious  that  they 
. belonged  to  this  wonderful  orchis  family ; but 
they  disappeared  years  ago,  and  now  I do  not 
know  where  one  could  be  found.” 


18  Evenings  ivith  the  Children . 

" Are  these  plants  good  for  anything  except  to 
be  looked  at  ? ” asked  Henry. 

" The  aromatic  vanilla,  so  highly  valued  as  a 
perfume  and  flavor,  is  obtained  from  the  seed  of 
a climbing  orchis,  which  grows  here  in  Central 
America.” 

m 

" Oh  ! I had  almost  forgotten  that  we  were 
traveling,”  cried  Laura.  " I will  keep  a bright 
look  out,  and  perhaps  I shall  see  a vanilla  plant.” 

" Always  keep  your  eyes  open  when  you  travel,” 
said  the  mother,  smiling.  " You  may  see  a grove 
of  cocoa  palms,  or  plantations  of  indigo,  or 
nopal.” 

" Pray,  mother,  what  kind  of  plantations  are 
you  speaking  of  ? ” asked  Henry. 

" The  indigo  plant  from  which  the  most  valuable 
blue  dye  is  produced,  is  extensively  cultivated 
here,  and  the  indigo  is  a principal  article  of  trade 
in  the  sea  ports.  The  nopal  is  a kind  of  cactus 
on  which  the  cochineal  insect  feeds.  It  grows 
here,  but  is  more  extensively  cultivated  in  Mexico.” 


Taking  an  Imaginary  Journey . 19 

" I have  seen  you  coloring  scarlet  with  cochi- 
neal,” cried  Laura.  " I did  not  know  it  was  an 
insect.  Pray  tell  us  about  it.” 

" The  nopal  plant  grows  ten  or  twelve  feet  high. 
It  consists  of  broad,  juicy  leaves,  growing  one 
out  of  another.  The  plants  are  set  two  or  three 
feet  apart,  and  when  they  are  sufficiently  grown, 
a few  of  the  insects,  which  are  called  in  natural 
history,  the  coccus  cacti , are  placed  among  them. 
Like  most  insects,  they  multiply  with  wonderful 
rapidity.  One  will  lay  a thousand  eggs,  and  six 
generations  are  said  to  be  produced  in  a year ; so 
you  see^  that  in  a very  short  time  the  plants  are 
loaded  with  them.  In^  December,  they  are  care- 
fully scraped  off,  and  dipped  in  boiling  water  to 
kill  them,  then  they  are  dried  and  ready  for  use.” 
" It  seems  to  me,”  said  Henry,  " that  we  are 
much  indebted  to  this  region  for  dye  stuffs, — red- 
wood, log- wood,  indigo,  and  cochineal.” 

" Certainly  we  are,  and  I hope  you  will  remem- 
ber that  to  this  little  insect  we  are  indebted  for 


20  Evenings  ivith  the  Children . 

the  means  of  producing  the  most  permanent  and 
beautiful  color.” 

Henry  looked  very  thoughtful.  " People  were 
able  to  color  scarlet  in  very  ancient  times,”  he 
said.  " The  Bible  speaks  of  it.  They  could  not 
have  been  acquainted  with  this  American  insect  in 
those  days.” 

" Not  with  this  American  insect,  but  probably 
with  a cousin.” 

The  children  laughed,  and  begged  their  mother 
to  explain. 

" There  is  an  insect  of  this  genus  called  the 
coccus  ilicis  by  naturalists,  because  it  feeds  on 
the  oak.  It  is  found  ia  abundance  in  Arabia, 
and  in  the  south  of  Europe.  The  ancients  were 
acquainted  with  its  use,  and  it  is  supposed  that 
the  famous  Tyrian  purple  was  colored  with  it, 
and  that  the  Israelites  used  it  in  the  wilderness 
to  dye  the  curtains  of  the  tabernacle.  The  Arabs 
call  it  kermes , and  from  this  are  derived  our  words, 
carmine  and  crimson.  There  is  another  species 


Taking  an  Imaginary  Journey . 21 

of  this  insect  found  in  India,  from  which  the  lac 
dye  is  produced.  Scarlet,  properly  colored  with 
these  dyes,  is  permanent.  I have  seen  it  stated 
that  paper  - makers  find  means  to  extract  all 
colors  except  scarlet,  but  no  chemical  has  been 
discovered  which  will  remove  this.  The  prophet 
Isaiah  mentions  this  color,  saying, — " Come  now, 
and  let  us  reason  together,  saith  the  Lord  ; though 
your  sins  be  as  scarlet  they  shall  be  white  as  snow 
and  I hope  you  will  remember  this  text  in  con- 
nection with  what  I have  been  telling  you.  Re- 
member that  sin  makes  the  deepest  and  most  in- 
delible stain,  and  there  is  nothing  in  the  universe 
can  wash  it  out  but  the  mercy  of  God  through 
Christ,  and  that  can  make  the  scarlet  white  as 
snow.” 

Mrs*.  White  paused. 

" O mamma,”  said  Laura,  " must  we  stop  right 
here  ? But  you  will  tell  us  more  about  this  strange 
country  to  - morrow  ? ” 

She  promised  to  do  so. 


SECOND  EVENING. 


CENTRAL  AMERICA. 

>ENRY  and  Laura  studied  hard  in 
order  to  get  through  their  lessons 
early,  and  when  they  were  completed, 
they  begged  of  their  mother  that  they 
might  continue  their  travels. 

" Very  well,”  she  replied,  quite  pleased  to  find 
them  interested  ; " we  have  made  some  observa- 
tions in  the  vegetable  kingdom,  and  now  we  will 
turn  our  attention  to  the  animals,  which  you  will 
find  as  strange  and  unfamiliar  as  the  trees  and 
flowers.  We  suppose  ourselves  traveling  on  the 
railroad,  and,  looking  from  the  windows,  we  may 
see  a sluggish  stream  creeping  along  in  the  dark 


Central  America. 


23 


shade  of  the  great  trees,  or  spreading  itself  out 
over  the  hot  sands  or  muddy  marshes.  The 
green,  slimy  current  is  very  different  from  our 
sparkling,  dancing  streams,  and  the  animals 
which  inhabit  it  are  such  as  you  have  never  seen. 
There  are  alligators  twenty  feet  long,  lazily 
floating  about  in  the  water.  They  are  frightful 
monsters,  and  you  will  not  wish  to  bathe  in  the 
streams  where  they  are  found.” 

" Alligators  are  plenty  in  the  Southern  States,” 
Henry  said.  "I  have  heard  the  soldiers  who 
were  in  Texas  and  Mississippi  during  the  war, 
talk  about  them.” 

" Yes,  they  abound  in  all  the  southern  streams 
and  lakes,  and  are  very  dangerous  to  men  and 
animals.  Sometimes  they  assemble  in  large  num- 
bers in  the  evening,  and  make  a frightful  bellow- 
ing noise,  which  may  be  heard  for  a mile.  When 
the  alligator  is  about  to  lay  her  eggs,  she  digs 
a hole  in  the  sand  and  deposits  them,  to  the 
number  of  fifty  or  sixty,  in  layers,  separated  by 


24  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

leaves  or  dry  grass.  She  watches  about  the  spot 
till  the  heat  of  the  sun  warms  them  into  life,  and 
the  little  reptiles  come  forth  ; and  then  she  leads 
them  about  and  protects  them  as  well  as  she  can 
for  several  months.  Fortunately,  they  have  so 
many  enemies  that  very  few  of  them  live  to  grow 
large.  At  the  approach  of  the  cool  season,  these 
creatures  bury  themselves  in  the  mud,  and  sink 
into  a sleep  so  profound  that  nothing  will  arouse 
them. 

" But  this  is  not  the  only  strange  animal  in 
these  waters.  The  Manati,  or  vaca  marina , so 
common  in  the  Amazon  and  its  tributaries,  is 
found  here.  This  is  said  to  be  the  largest  fish 
inhabiting  fresh  water.  It  is*sometimes  seven- 
teen feet  long  and  weighs  as  many  hundred 
pounds.  It  is  covered  with  a hard,  black  skin 
without  scales.  Some  travelers  have  imagined 
that  the  upper  part  of  the  animal  has  a grotesque 
resemblance  to  a human  being,  and  call  it  the 
human  fish.  Instead  of  the  fins  of  an  ordinary 


Central  America . 


25 


fish,  it  has  short  arms,  terminating  in  a sort  of 
hand,  with  which  it  handles  its  young  with  great 
dexterity.” 

" What  a strange  fish  ! ” said  Henry.  " I wish 
I could  see  one.” 

" It  is,  indeed,  a strange  fish,  for  the  flesh  re- 
sembles pork,  only  it  has  a strong  fishy  flavor. 
The  Indians  of  South  America  make  great  use  of 
it  for  food. 

" These  swamps  are  alive  with  lizards  and 
snakes.  If  you  are  not  careful,  you  may  step  on 
a venomous  cotton  - mouth,  or  be  caught  in  the 
coils  of  the  dreadful  emperor  boa.” 

" I have  heard  of  the  boa  constrictor,”  said 
I^aura,  " but  not  of  the  emperor  boa.  Pray  tell 
us  about  it,  mamma.” 

" Boa  constrictor  is  the  general  name  of  an 
order  embracing  many  species  of  huge  serpents 
found  in  the  hot  regions  of  the  earth.  The  name 
constrictor  is  applied  to  them  because  they  destroy 
their  prey  by  crushing  it.  They  lay  in  ambush 


26  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

in  trees,  grasping  the  trunk  or  branches  with 
their  tails,  and  when  an  animal  approaches  with- 
in reach  of  one  of  them,  he  darts  upon  it,  and 
winding  himself  about  it,  crushes  it  in  his  terri- 
ble coils.  A large  boa  will  seize  a deer  in  this 
way,  and  when  he  has  broken  all  the  bones, 
crushing  the  whole  animal  into  a shapeless  mass, 
he  opens  his  monstrous  jaws,  and  draws  the 
head  into  his  mouth  ; distending  his  neck  till  it 
seems  ready  to  burst,  he  sucks  the  whole  body 
down.  He  then  quietly  seeks  his  den,  which  is 
generally  in  the  clefts  of  a rock,  or  under  the 
roots  of  a large  tree,  and,  coiling  himself  up,  he 
sometimes  lies  torpid  for  a month.  When  he  has 
digested  that  meal,  he  sallies  forth  to  seek  another. 
The  emperor  boa  is  the  species  found  in  Mexico 
and  Central  America.  They  are  beautifully 
tinted,  and  gleam  in  the  sun  like  a coil  of  splen- 
did jewels.” 

"How  large  are  they,  mamma, — how  long,  I 
mean?”  inquired  Henry. 


Central  America. 


27 


" One  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet  long  is  consid- 
ered large  ; but  if  we  may  credit  the  ancient  histori- 
ans, Diodorus  Siculus  and  Suetonius,  serpents  of 
this  order  were  found  in  their  days,  fifty  and  sev- 
enty-five feet  long.5’ 

" What  awful  monsters  ! ” cried  Laura.  " I 
am  glad  they  do  not  grow  so  large  now.55 

"I  wish  they  did,  55  said  Henry,  "and  I could 
see  one, — but  girls  are  always  so  timid.55 

" Do  n’t  boast  of  your  courage  till  it  is  tried,55 
replied  his  sister.  " I do  not  think  you  would 
wish  to  meet  even  a modern  boa  in  the  woods 
alone.55 

"We  should  rather  see  these  monsters  in  a 
cage,  than  to  encounter  them  in  their  native 
haunts,55  said  the  mother,  smiling ; " but  they  are 
not  the  animals  most  dreaded  by  those  who  ex- 
plore the  forests  of  this  country.55 

" I am  sure  there  is  nothing  of  which  I should 
be  more  afraid  than  of  those  awful  snakes,55  said 
Laura,  with  a shudder. 


28 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


"The  jaguar  is  more  dangerous.  Among  the 
beasts  of  prey  which  inhabit  the  earth,  perhaps 
no  one  is  more  formidable.  This  animal  resem- 
bles the  African  leopard,  which  he  excels  in 
beauty,  strength  and  ferocity.  He  generally  lies 
concealed  in  the  dense  forest  during  the  day,  and 
at  night  he  goes  forth  in  search  of  food.  He 
knows  where  the  antelopes  and  mustangs  resort 
for  water,  and  he  will  climb  into  a tree,  and, 
concealed  by  the  thick  branches,  wait  till  one 
comes  within  his  reach.  Then  his  eyes  glare, 
and  his  powerful  limbs  quiver  with  excitement, 
and,  with  a tremendous  leap,  he  pounces  on  his 
victim,  fastening  his  terrible  teeth  in  his  neck, 
while  his  claws  are  struck  deep  into  his  back  and 
sides.  The  poor  creature  makes  violent  efforts 
to . shake  off  his  enemy  ; but  the  jaguar,  with 
fierce  growls,  begins  to  devour  him  while  yet 
alive.” 

" I think  that  is  just  as  bad  as  being  crushed 
by  a boa,”  said  Henry. 


Parrots  of  gay  plumage  flutter  amid  the  dense  foliage.”  page  29. 


Central  America. 


29 


" The  carcajou,  or  wolverine,  another  fierce 
and  dangerous  animal,  is  found  here  ; and  there 
are  a great  many  others  of  which  I will  not  tell 
you  now.  You  will  learn  about  them  when  you 
study  natural  history.” 

" Please,  mamma,  let  us  hear  something  about 
the  birds,”  said  Laura.  "I  am  sure  they  will 
not  frighten  us  like  the  snakes  and  jaguars.” 

" The  birds  of  this  region  are  numerous  and 
beautiful.  Parrots  of  gay  plumage  flutter  amid 
the  dense  foliage,  and  chatter  and  scream  to  the 
sloths  and  peccaries.  The  mocking-bird  is  as 
common  as  the  robin  in  the  North.  His  plumage 
is  plain,  but  he  has  the  most  wonderful  power  of 
song.  His  natural  notes  are  bold  and  spirited, 
and  he  has  the  faculty  of  imitating,  with  decep- 
tive fidelity,  every  sound  lie  hears.  He  screams 
like  the  eagle,  chatters  like  the  parrot,  barks  like 
the  dog,  and  repeats  the  exquisite  notes  of  the 
nightingale  and  thrush  with  such  superior  execu- 
tion that  the  vanquished  songsters  are  silent  from 


30  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

mortification.  He  often  deceives  the  hunter,  and 
sends  him  in  search  of  birds  which,  perhaps,  are 
not  within  miles  of  him.  The  resplendent  trogon 
is  found  in  the  dense  forests,  and  the  scarlet  ibis 
on  the  borders  of  the  rivers  and  lakes.  This 
region,  as  well  as  Mexico  and  South  America,  is 
the  natural  home  of  the  humming  - birds.  They 
love  the  land  of  perpetual  sunshine  and  flowers, 
and  they  are  the  most  exquisite  grnaments  of 
garden  and  groves.  Audubon  tells  us  there  are 
a hundred  species  of  these  beautiful  birds  on  this 
continent.  You  know  that  they  sometimes  visit 
us  in  summer,  and  enchant  us  with  the  beauty  of 
their  plumage,  and  the  gracefulness  of  their  rapid 
movements  ; but  in  this  tropical  region  they  are 
much  more  brilliant,  so  that  they  can  only  be 
compared  to  the  most  gorgeous  gems  and  the 
richest  metals.  Here  they  are  seen  in  flocks, 
fluttering  with  such  airy,  graceful  motions  among 
the  flowers,  that  they  seem  as  if  upheld  by  magic; 
and  as  they  wheel  and  glance  in  the  sunlight,  if 


Central  America . 


31 


you  watch  a single  one,  he  appears  to  you,  now 
as  a burning  ruby,  now  as  a topaz,  now  as  an* 
emerald  in  a coat  of  transparent  gold,  and  now, 
darting  into  the  shade,  he  wears  a shining  velvety 
black.” 

” O,  mamma  ! 99  cried  Laura,  " how  I wish  I 
could  see  those  beautiful  birds  !”* 

"They  would  delight  you  greatly,  my  dear; 
for,  among  the  beautiful  works  of  our  heavenly 
Father,  there  is  nothing  more  deserving  of  ad- 
miration. Feathers  are  among  our  most  beauti- 
ful ornaments,  and  though  we  have  no  cause  to 
be  proud  of  our  borrowed  plumage,  they  are  cer- 
tainly very  graceful  and  becoming.  The  Mexi- 
cans, at  the  time  they  were  conquered  by  the 
Spaniards,  possessed  the  art  of  making  a beautiful 
kind  of  feather  - work.  On  a web  of  fine  cotton, 
they  wrought  the  gorgeous  plumage  of  these 
tropical  birds  into  patterns  which  are  described 
as  very  magnificent.  4This  work  was  used  in 
robes  for  the  royal  family,  in  hangings  for  the 


32  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

temples,  and  banners  for  the  army.  Many  pieces 
were  carried  to  Spain  by  the  conquerors,  and 
worn  by  ladies  of  the  highest  rank.” 

" O,  mamma!”  cried  Laura,  ”1  remember 
reading  about  this  feather  - work  in  Prescott’s 
History  of  Mexico.  But  have  they  lost  the 
art?” 

" If  they  have  not,  Laura  wants  to  send  for 
a cloak,”  said  Henry  ; " a cloak  of  green  parrots’ 
feathers,  with  a border  of  red.” 

"Now,  Henry,  do  be  serious,”  said  his  sister, 
" and  attend  to  what  mamma  says.” 

" The  art  seems  to  have  been,  lost,”  continued 

i 

Mrs.  White.  "Pefrhaps  the  poor  Indians  had 
no  heart  to  do  this  work,  after  their  princes  were 
slain,  their  temples  destroyed,  and  their  armies 
dispersed.” 

" I am  sure,”  said  Henry,  " as  the  isthmus  is 
but  thirty  miles  wide,  we  must  be  near  Panama.” 
" So  we  will  consider  ourselves,  and  looking 
back  over  the  railroad  which  we  have  passed  so 


Central  America . 


33 


rapidly,  we  will  remember  the  adventurer  who 
first  crossed  this  narrow  neck  of  land.  The 
Spaniards  took  early  possession  of  the  eastern 
coast,  and  one  day,  in  the  year  1511,  as  Yasco 
Nunez  de  Balboa  was  weighing  some  gold,  a 
young  Indian  chief  who  was  present,  struck  the 
scales,  and  scattered  the  precious  metal  about 
the  apartment,  exclaiming,  " If  this  is  what  you 
prize  so  much  that  you  are  willing  to  leave  your 
homes  and  risk  your  lives  for  it,  I can  tell  you  of 
a land  where  they  eat  and  drink  out  of  golden 
vessels  ; ” — and  then  he  told  of  the  great  Peru- 
vian empire,  whose  shores  were  washed  by  the 
mighty,  unknown  sea.  Fired  by  this  account 
Balboa,  not  long  after,  achieved  the  perilous  ad- 
venture of  crossing  the  isthmus,  probably  not 
very  far  from  the  route  of  the  railroad.  Reaching 
the  shore  of  the  great  ocean,  he  rushed  into  the 
water,  and  cried  out  that  he  claimed  this  un- 
known sea  with  .all  it  contained  for  his  master, 
the  king  of  Castile,  and  that  he  would  make  good 


34 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


his  claim  against  all,  Christians  or  infidels,  who 
dared  gainsay  it.  This  bold  cavalier  commenced 
the  settlement  of  old  Panama,  which  was  some 
distance  east  of  the  present  city  ; from  that  point 
expeditions  were  sent  out  to  explore  the  unknown 
coast,  and  from  there  the  modern  traveler  takes  a 
steamship  for  the  ports  of  South  America.” 


THIRD  EVENING. 

PIZAERO’S  VOYAGE  OF  DISCOVERY. 

[ (^m^THINK  we  are  traveling  very  slow- 
( ly,”  said  Henry,  when  the  books  were 
laid  away.  " I am  getting  very  im-* 
zry  patient  to  reach  South  America.  Please, 
mamma,  let  us  proceed.” 

" Good  travelers  make  haste  slowly,”  replied 
the  mother,  smiling.  "I  would  like  ta  know 
how  much  you  remember  of  what  I have  told 
you  about  Central  America.” 

" I remember,”  said  Laura,  " who  first  crossed 
this  isthmus,  when  it  was  a pathless  wilderness, 
and  took  such  bold  possession  of  the  great  Pacific 
ocean.  Mamma,  what  do  you  think  he  would 


36 


Evenings  with  the  Children. 


say  if  lie  could  see  the  railroad,  with  its  puffiing 
engine  and  gorgeous  cars  ? 

" He  would  no  doubt  be  as  much  surprised  as 
the  poor  Indians  were  at  the  ships  and  horses  of 
the  Spaniards.  As  I told  you  last  evening,  the 
city  of  Panama  is  a short  distance  west  of  the 
old  town  of  that  name,  which  was  commenced  by 
Balboa,  and  from  which  the  small  Spanish  ships 
crept  cautiously  along  the  unknown  coast.  Now 
a coasting  steamer  leaves  this  city  the  thirteenth 
of  every  month  for  the  port  of  Guayaquil,  and 
we  may  travel  with  a speed  and  comfort  of  which 
those  bold  cavaliers  never  dreamed.  By  this 
steamer,  we  can  reach  Guayaquil  in  five  days, 
making  a voyage  which  cost  them  years  of  peril- 
ous toil.” 

" Please  tell  us,  mamma,”  said  Henry,  " who 
first  explored  this  coast  ? ” 

" The  history  of  its  discovery  is  very  interest- 
ing, and  I will  tell  you  a little  about  it,  hoping 
that  you  may  soon  have  an  opportunity  of  read- 


Bizarre? s Voyage  of  Discovery . 37 

ing  a fuller  account.  You  remember  that  Balboa 
had  been  induced  to  cross  the  isthmus  by  the  ac- 
count he  heard  of  a country  rich  in  gold,  which 
lay  somewhere  to  the  south.  Pie  built  a ship  at 
Panama,  for  the  purpose  of  seeking  that  country, 
but  died  without  accomplishing  his  purpose. 
Among  the  adventurers  who  crossed  the  isthmus 
with  him  was  Francisco  Pizarro,  a man  whose 
name  will  never  be  forgotten.  He  was  a person 
of  obscure  birth,  and  so  uneducated  that  he  could 
not  even  read  and  write  ; but  he  possessed  the 
courage  which  no  perils  could  daunt,  and  the 
strength  of  purpose  which  surmounted  obstacles 
that  seemed  unconquerable  to  others.  He  was  cruel 
and  unscrupulous,  but  his  success  as  a conqueror 
has  given  him  a place  in  history ; and,  though 
we  do  not  love  his  memory,  we  have  to  accord 
to  him,  and  his  associate,  Almagro,  the  honor  of 
exploring  the  coast,  and  finding  a path  through 
this  mighty  ocean. 

" The  vessel  which  Balboa  built  for  this  ex- 


38  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

pedifcion  lay  dismantled  in  the  harbor  for  several 
years  after  his  death,  but  Pizarro  never  lost  sight 
of  the  object.  He  thought  by  day  and  dreamed 
by  night  of  that  land  of  gold,  tie  would  open  that 
land  to  the  world ; he  would  make  himself  and 
his  country  rich  with  its  precious  spoils  ; and  to 
the  accomplishment  *of  this  purpose  he  bent  all 
the  energies  of  his  fertile  brain.  After  many 
disappointments,  which  would  have  discouraged  a 
less  determined  person,  he  succeeded  in  raising  the 
means  to  purchase  the  ship  built  by  Balboa,  and, 
with  a crew  of  one  hundred  men,  he  left  the  port 
of  Panama  about  the  middle  of  November,  1524, 
and  struck  boldly  out  into  the  unknown  ocean. 

"The  time  was  the  most  unfavorable  that 
could  have  been  chosen,  as  it  was  the  rainy  sea- 
son within  the  tropics,  and  the  coast  was  swept 
by  frequent  and  terrible  tempests.  But  no  one 
had  been  here  before  to  make  them  acquainted 
with  this  fact,  and  warn  them  of  the  danger. 
Though  the  ocean,  the  continent,  and  the  seasons 


Piz  arrows  Voyage  of  Discovery.  39 

are  the  same,  proceeding  as  we  may  along  the 
coast  in  a steamship  from  one  city  to  another, 
we  shall  have  very  little  conception  of  the  experi- 
ence of  those  adventurers.  They  sailed  south,  and, 
entering  the  river  Biru,  made  their  first  landing 
about  six  miles  above  its  mouth.  Here  it  seemed 
as  if  nature  had  mustered  her  forces  to  repel 
them.  The  margins  of  the  stream  were  dismal 
morasses  through  which  they  passed  with  great 
difficulty  and  danger.  Beyond  these  were  woods, 
through  whose  thick  and  tangled  undergrowth 
they  were  forced  to  cut  their  way  ; and,  emerging 
from  these,  they  came  out  on  a hilly  country,  so 
rough  and  rocky  that  their  feet  were  cut  to  the 
bone.  After  a few  days  of  fruitless  toil,  they 
returned,  fainting  and  nearly  famished,  to  their 
ship,  and,  dropping  down  the  river,  they  pro- 
ceeded on  their  voyage  south.  They  soon  began 
to  encounter  a succession  of  terrible  tempests, 
accompanied  by  such  awful  thunder  and  such 
floods  of  rain  as  are  known  only  within  the  trop- 


40  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

ics.  For  ten  days  they  were  tossed  about  by 
the  pitiless  elements,  expecting  every  hour  that 
their  frail  bark  would  go  down  in  the  billows. 
To  add  to  their  distress,  their  provisions  began 
to  fail,  and  they  were  reduced  to  the  wretched 
allowance  of  two  ears  of  Indian  corn  a day  for 
each  man. 

" Exhausted  by  hunger  and  the  incessant  and 
terrible  labor  by  which  alone  they  had  saved 
their  ship  from  ruin,  they  turned  to  the  inhospita- 
ble shore  and  dropped  their  anchor  in  a little  bay. 
Nothing  could  be  more  unpromising  than  the 
aspect  of  the  country.  The  ground  was  low  and 
marshy,  and  covered  with  what  seemed  to  be 
interminable  forests.  It  was  in  vain  that  the 
adventurers  endeavored  to  penetrate  this  tangled 
thicket,  where  the  gigantic  vines  which  are  nour- 
ished by  the  rank  soil  and  humid  atmosphere 
twine  themselves  around  the  trunks  of  the  trees, 
and,  flinging  themselves  from  one  to  another, 
bind  them  in  a network  through  which  a path 


Pizarro's  Voyage  of  Discovery.  41 

can  be  opened  only  with  great  labor.  Floods  of 
rain  continued  to  fall,  and  the  air  was  poisoned 
by  exhalations  from  the  steaming  soil.  Unbroken 
silence  reigned  in  this  dismal  solitude.  Not  a 
bird  sang  in  the  trees,  not  a beast  crept  through 
the  forest.  The  only  forms  of  animal  life  which 
greeted  them  were  loathsome  reptiles  and  venom- 
ous insects.  Entirely  discouraged  by  the  difficul- 
ties which  surrounded  them,  the  crew  became 
clamorous  against  their  commander,  accusing  him 
of  deluding  them  with  false  hopes,  and  demand- 
ing that  he  should  immediately  attempt  to  return 
to  Panama. ” 

" O mamma,  what  else  could  they  do  ? ” cried 
Laura  ; " I am  sure  they  would  be  very  thankful 
to  get  back  alive.” 

" Certainly,  my  dear,”  continued  Mrs.  White. 
f'  The  circumstances  were  very  trying,  but  they 
only  developed  the  strength  of  Pizarro’s  will,  and 
his  ability  to  govern  his  turbulent  followers.  To 
have  returned  at  this  time  would  have  dissipated 


42  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

his  golden  dreams  forever,  and  left  him  bankrupt 
in  credit,  an  object  of  derision  among  his  coun- 
trymen; but  he  was  equal  to  the  occasion,  and, 
with  a daring  which  we  can  not  but  admire,  re- 
solved to  pursue  his  course.  He  addressed  to  his 
men  every  argument  that  ambition  or  avarice 
could  suggest.  He  besought  them  by  their  cour- 
age and  constancy  to  prove  themselves  worthy  of 
success.  He  was  able  to  inspire  them  with' so 
much  of  his  spirit  that  they  consented  to  remain 
in  this  dismal  place,  while  he  should  send  the 
vessel  back  for  a fresh  supply  of  provis- 
ions. 

"After  the  departure  of  the  vessel,  Pizarro 
continued  his  fruitless  endeavors  to  explore  the 
country,  and  t <y  find  food  for  his  famishing  follow- 
ers. They  picked  up  a few  shell-fish  on  the 
shore,  and  found  a few  unwholesome  berries  in 
the  forest, — these  were  all.  As  day  after  day 
and  week  after  week  passed  and  the  vessel  did  not 
return,  the  stoutest  - hearted  began  to  despair. 


Pizarro’s  Voyage  of  Discovery . 43 

One  after  another  yielded  to  their  terrible  fate. 
Twenty  of  the  little  band  had  died.  At  this  cri- 
sis, a light  was  discovered  through  a partial  open- 
ing in  the  woods.  With  the  energy  of  despair, 
the  wretched  Spaniards  forced  their  way  through 
the  wilderness,  and,  to  their  unspeakable  joy, 
found  an  open  country  and  an  Indian  village. 
They  obtained  from  the  simple  and  friendly 
people  the  food  for  which  they  were  dying,  and 
they  gathered  from  the  clumsy  gold  ornaments 
which  they  wore,  and  of  which  they  did  not 
hesitate  to  rob  them,  a confirmation  of  the  reports 
which  had  drawn  them  to  this  coast. 

" Six  weeks  afterward,  the  wandering  bark, 
which  had  borne  away  their  comrades,  sailed  into 
the  port  laden  with  provisions.  Both  parties  had 
doleful  tales  of  distress  to  tell.  Those  who  had 
been  on  the  sea,  had  been  beaten  and  baffled  by 
storms  and  head  winds,  and  had  barely  escaped 
with  their  lives ; and  those  who  had  waited  on  the 
shore,  were  so  wasted  and  haggard  from  hunger 


44  livening s with  the  Children . 

and  sickness,  that  their  companions  beheld  them 
with  horror.  Revived  by  the  necessary  food, 
with  a buoyancy  which  belongs  to  men  of  a rov- 
ing and  hazardous  life,  they  soon  forgot  the  past 
in  their  eagerness  to  discover  the  land  of  gold,  of 
which  they  now  felt  more  certain  than  be- 
fore. Re- embarking,  therefore,  they  opened 
their  sails  to  the  winds  and  bore  away  to  the 
South. 

"'You  must  remember  that  these  adventurers 
were  groping  their  way,  obliged  to  feel  it  inch  by 
inch,  as  it  were.  They  had  no  chart  to  warn 
them  of  rocks  and  currents,  and  they  did  not 
know  where  the  region  lay  of  which  they  were  in 
pursuit.  So  they  crept  along  the  coast,  landing 
wherever  they  found  an  opportunity,  and  finding 
everywhere  among  the  natives  evidences  of  abun- 
dance of  gold.  In  this  way,  they  proceeded  to  a 
point  named  by  Pizarro,  Punta  Quemada.  Here 
the  shore  was  fringed  with  a deep  belt  of  man- 


grove trees. 


JPiz arrows  Voyage  of  Discovery . 45 

" I know  how  mangrove  trees  grow,”  said  Hen- 
ry. "There  is  a picture  of  them  in  Paul  Du 
Chaillu’s  book  on  the  Gorrilla  country.  The 
roots  start  out  from  the  trunks  of  the  trees  seven 
or  eight  feet  from  the  ground,  and  interlace  each 
other  so  that  I should  think  they  would  stop 
everything  but  the  snakes.  I did  not  know  that 
they  grew  in  South  America.” 

" Oh,  yes,  they  are  common  in  tropical  coun- 
tries ; and,  as  you  say,  the  interlacing  roots  make 
a formidable  barrier  ; but  the  Spaniards  found  an 
opening  where  they  effected  a landing.  Here, 
they  met  with  a warlike  tribe  of  Indians  who 
were  not  disposed  to  be  plundered  of  their  gold 
and  food  without  resistance.  They  boldly  at- 
tacked the  invaders,  who,  though  they  repulsed 
them,  suffered  a heavy  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded.  This  circumstance  decided  Pizarro  to 
return  to  Panama,  where  he  hoped  that  the  gold 
they  had  collected  would  attract  new  recruits  to 
his  standard  and  secure  the  aid  of  the  governor  to 


46 


Evenings  with  the  Children. 


his  enterprise.  Burying  their  comrades  who  had 
been  killed  by  the  Indians,  and  bearing  the 
wounded  to  the  ship,  they  turned  their  faces 
toward  the  North,  and,  without  further  accident, 
reached  the  port  from  which  they  sailed.  Thus 
ended  the  first  voyage  of  discovery  on  the  coast.” 


FOURTH  EVENING. 

SECOND  VOYAGE. 

A MM  A,”  said  Henry,  ” please 
tell  Lls  something  more  about  the 
S&jW  discovery  of  South  America.” 

” Do  you  remember  what  I have  al- 
ready told  you?  ” she  asked.  " It  is  not  my  ob- 
ject simply  to  amuse  you.  I am  communicating 
facts  to  you,  which  I wish  you  to  retain  in  con- 
nection with  the  geography  of  this  country.” 

”1  am  quite  sure,  mamma,”  Laura  said,  "I 
shall  not  forget  that  Francisco  Fizarro  made  the 
first  discoveries,  and  that,  between  the  storms  at 
sea  and  sickness  and  starvation  on  the  land,  they 


48  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

had  a hard  time.  When  they  were  back  to  Pan- 
ama they  must  have  been  glad  enough  to  stay 
there.” 

" You  are  quite  mistaken,  my  child.  You  do 
not  understand  how  strong  wrere  the  purposes  of 
those  men.  All  the  sufferings  of  the  past  and 
all  the  perils  of  the  future  were  quite  forgotten  in 
their  golden  dreams.  Pizarro,  and  his  associate 
Almagro,  lost  no  time  in  preparing  for  a second 
voyage.  Though  one  fourth  of  the  men  who  em- 
barked in  the  first  cruise  had  perished,  others  were 

* 

found  willing  to  take  their  places  ; and  with  two 
vessels,  larger  and  better  appointed  than  the  first, 
they  sailed  again  in  search  of  the  land  of  gold. 

" They  did  not  creep  along  the  coast,  but, 
standing  boldly  out  to  sea,  in  a few  days  they 
reached  the  limit  of  their  first  voyage,  and  en- 
tered the  mouth  of  the  San  Juan  river.  Here 
they  disembarked,  and  finding  an  Indian  village, 
they  commenced  the  work  of  pillage  and  murder. 
They  obtained  so  large  a quantity  of  gold  that 


Second  Voyage . 49 

Almagro  sailed  back  to  Panama  to  exhibit  their 
booty  and  to  enlist  more  men,  while  Euiz,  the 
pilot,  cruised  along  the  coast,  and  Pizarro,  with 
the  larger  part  of  the  men,  remained  near  the 
mouth  of  the  river. 

" The  old  pilot,  Euiz,  sailing  southward,  dis- 
covered, to  his  great  astonishment,  a craft  moving 
in  the  opposite  direction.  This  proved  to  be  an 
Indian  vessel,  or  rather,  raft,  which  they  called  a 
balsa ; and  as  it  is  still  used  on  this  coast  and  on 
the  rivers,  I will  describe  it  to  you.  The  balsa  is 
made  by  lashing  together  a number  of  large  tim- 
bers of  a light,  porous  wood,  on  which  a floor  of 
reeds  is  laid.  In  the  middle,  two  stout  poles  are 
raised,  which  support  a square  sail.  A rude  kind 
of  rudder  and  a movable  keel  enable  the  mariner 
to  give  direction  to  the  floating  craft. 

” On  coming  along  side,  Euiz  found  several  men 
and  women  on  board,  who  wore  rich  ornaments 
of  gold  on  their  persons ; and  what  astonished 
him  more,  they  were  dressed  in  a woolen  cloth  of 


50  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

fine  texture,  delicately  embroidered,  and  brilliant- 
ly dyed.  They  were  Peruvians  from  Tumbez, 
carrying  rich  and  curious  articles,  such  as  silver 
mirrors,  gold  vases,  and  delicate  fabrics  of  cotton 
and  wool,  in  which  they  trafficked  along  the  coast. 
This  was  the  first  contact  of  this  unfortunate  race 
with  the  Spaniards,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to 
tell  which  was  the  more  astonished.  The  former 
looked  with  something  of  religious  awe  on  the 
mailed  and  bearded  strangers,  whose  vessel  was 
so  superior  to  their  own  ; and  the  latter  were  sur- 
prised, no  less  than  delighted,  at  these  sudden 
and  unexpected  proofs  of  civilization  and  wealth, 
so  much  greater  than  had  been  seen  before  in  the 
new  world. ” 

" I think  they  must  have  been  astonished  to 
meet  thus  on  the  ocean/’  said  Laura;  "but  did 
the  Peruvians  know  how  to  manufacture  nice 
cloths,  mamma?” 

" So  the  history  tells  us,  my  dear.  You  must 
remember  they  were  a very  different  people  from 


Second  Voyage . 51 

the  North  American  Indians,  and  at  the  time  of 
the  discovery,  possessed  a higher  degree  of  civil- 
ization and  wealth  than  at  the  present  time.  The 
origin  of  their  civilization  is  enveloped  in  impene- 
trable mystery.  Their  own  account  of  it  was, 
that,  in  ancient  time,  the  race  was  plunged  in  the 
most  deplorable  degradation  and  poverty,  and  the 
Sun,  the  great  luminary  and  parent^of  mankind, 
took  compassion  on  them,  and  sent  two  of  his 
children  to  teach  them  the  arts  of  civilized  life. 
Manco  Capac,  and  his  sister,  who  was  also  his 
wife,  took  up  their  abode  in  the  valley  of  Cuzcoi 
They  proclaimed  their  divine  origin,  and  demanded 
of  the  people  the  most  implicit  obedience.  They 
were  received  with  joy  and  treated  with  the  ut- 
most veneration ; and  under  their  instruction,  the 
docile  people  learned  the  arts  of  agriculture  and 
the  mysteries  of  spinning  and  weaving.  They 
also  taught  them  to  build  houses,  and  to  work  the 
precious  metals,  of  which  there  was  a great 
abundance  among  the  mountains ; and  they  es- 


52  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

tablished  a system  of  government  which  was 
at  once  the  most  despotic  and  the  most  benefi- 
cent. 

" When  Manco  Capac  and  his  wife,  Mama 
Oello,  died,  they  left  the  scepter  to  their  son,  and 
it  descended  in  the  family,  which  was  called  the 
Incas,  for  many  generations.  Gradually  the  em- 
pire extended,  till,  at  the  time  of  which  we  are 
now  speaking,  it  reached  from  two  degrees  north 
of  the  equator  to  the  thirty  - seventh  degree  south, 
embracing  the  region  along  the  coast  and  the 
great  table  - land  between  the  Cordilleras  of  the 
Andes.” 

" Please,  mamma,  tell  us  what  you  mean  by 
the  Cordilleras  of  the  Andes,”  said  Henry  ; " I 
do  n’t  quite  understand  it.” 

" The  word  Cordillera  means  a long  ridge,  and 
if  you  will  examine  your  map  you  will  see  that 
the  Andes  extend  in  two  chains,  or  Cordilleras, 
as  they  are  called,  running  nearly  parallel  with 
the  coast,  and  enclosing  the  great  table -land, 


Second  Voyage . 


53 


which  has  a mean  altitude  twice  as  great  as  Mt. 
Washington.  Now  try  to  remember  that  it  was 
this  rich  and  populous  empire  which  the  Spaniards 
were  about  to  enter,  and  which,  in  a few  years, 
they  conquered,  leaving  its  beautiful  cities  in 
ruins,  and  its  fertile  fields  deserted. 

"We  will  now  return  to  our  story.  The  Span- 
ish commander  seized  several  of  the  defenseless 
Peruvians,  and,  detaining  them  on  his  ship,  he 
suffered  the  rest  to  depart,  while  he  held  on  his 
way  soutli  till  he  reached  Cape  Pasado,  which 
you  will  see  on  the  map  is  in  one  half  a degree 
south  latitude,  thus  securing  the  glory  of  first 
crossing  the  equator  on  the  Pacific  ocean.  From 
this  point  he  returned,  and,  after  an  absence  of 
sixty  days,  reached  the  spot  where  he  had  left 
Pizarro  and  his  comrades. 

"Famine,  sickness  and  the  hostile  natives  were 
threatening  to  exterminate  the  little  band.  They 
had  tried  to  explore  the  country,  but  nature  had 
baffled  and  repelled  them  on  every  side.  They 


54  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

could  not  pierce  the  dense  and  trackless  forest, 
they  could  not  cross  the  frightful  ravines,  nor 
climb  the  steep  hills  which  rose,  like  successive 
waves,  and  rolled  away  to  join  the  mighty  Andes. 
The  animal  life  which  met  them  was  most  un- 
friendly. Monkeys,  chattering  and  grinning, 
seemed  to  mock  their  misery.  Hideous  reptiles 
and  gigantic  snakes  gathered  around  their  feet 
and  darted  on  them  from  the  trees,  and  swarms 
of  poisonous  insects  sometimes  forced  them  to 
bury  themselves  to  their  very  faces  in  the  sand. 
They  had  sustained  life  on  the  wild  cocoa  nuts 
and  wild  potatoes,  of  which  they  found  a scanty 
supply.5’ 

" Wild  potatoes,  did  you  say,  mamma?  ” cried 
Henry. 

"Yes,  my  dear ; this  is  the  region  where  the 
potato  was  found,  and  from  which  it  was  intro- 
duced into  other  countries. 

" A few  days  after  the  return  of  Ruiz,  Alma- 
gro  appeared  with  a vessel  laden  with  provisions, 


Second  Voyage . ^ 55 

and  a considerable  re  - inforcement  of  volunteers  , 
who  filled  the  places  of  those  that  had  miserably- 
perished  in  this  inhospitable  place.  As  their 
strength  returned,  their  sufferings  were  forgotten, 
and  they  were  eager  to  press  forward  to  the  land 
of  gold. 

" I have  not  time  to  give  you  the  details  of 

their  subsequent  voyages,  which  occupied  about 

$ 

two  years.  I have  told  you  enough  to  show  you 
that  they  were  necessarily  attended  with  great 
dangers  and  difficulties,  and  that  they  accomplish- 
ed their  purpose  only  by  the  most  determined  per- 
severance. At  every  step,  as  they  proceeded  .south, 
after  they  crossed  the  equator  and  struck  the 
coast  of  Peru,  they  found  their  wildest  hopes  jus- 
tified. Evidences  of  wealth  and  civilization 
were  constantly  exhibited  in  the  aspect  of  the 
country  and  the  inhabitants,  and  the  fruits  of  in- 
dustry were  visible  on  every  side.  The  natural 
features  of  the  coast  became  more  inviting.  In- 
stead of  the  mangrove  trees,  with  their  compli- 


56 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


cated  roots,  snarled  into  formidable  coils  under  the 
water,  as  if  to  waylay  and  entangle  the  adventurer, 
the  low  margin  of  the  sea  was  covered  with  a 
stately  growth  of  mahogany,  ebony  and  palms  ; 
and,  instead  of  the  tainted  and  pestilential  air 
which  they  had  experienced,  the  breezes  brought  to 
them  the  sweet  odor  of  sandal  - wood  and  the  fra- 
grance of  flowers.  The  hill-sides  were  covered 
with  fields  of  corn  and  potatoes,  checkered  with 
plantations  of  banana  and  cocoa.  The  white  cot- 
tages of  the  natives  glistened  among  the  trees, 
and.  populous  villages  studded  the  shore. 

" Gradually,  as  they  sailed  along  the  coast,  the 
mighty  panorama  of  the  Andes  was  unfolded  be- 
fore their  astonished  eyes.  Chimborazo,  lifting 
its  stupendous  head  into  the  heavens,  and  Coto- 
paxi with  its  dazzling  cone  of  silvery  white,  which 
knows  no  change  except  from  its  own  volcanic 
fires,  rose  before  them.  The  Spaniards  could  not 
have  been  entirely  insensible  to  the  beauty  and 
grandeur  of  the  scenes  which  were  spread  out  in 


Second  Voyage . 57 

full  view,  but  avarice  and  ambition  left  little 
room  in  their  hearts  for  the  love  of  nature.  The 
mountains  were  interesting  to  them  as  mines  of 
gold,  and  the  fruitful  fields  and  beautiful  villages 
awoke  only  thoughts  of  conquest  and  plunder. 
The  Peruvians  received  them  with  hospitality  and 
kindness,  supplied  all  their  wants  with  liberality, 
and  told  them,  in  unsuspecting  confidence,  of  the 
riches  of  their  country. 

"These  discoveries,  which  extended  to  the 
ninth  degree  of  south  latitude  along  the  western 
coast,  occupied  Pizarro  and  his  associates  from 
1524  to  1528,  and  their  history  fills  a volume.” 
" Four  years,”  said  Henry,  thoughtfully,  mov- 
ing his  finger  slowly  down  the  coast  on  the  map 
of  South  America.  "Four  years,  and  so  much 
suffering  and  death  to  explore  this  coast.” 

" The  story  seems  short,  as  you  have  told  it, 
mamma,”  said  Laura,  " but  these  must  have  been 
long,  weary  years  to  Pizarro  and  his  compan- 


ions. 


58  Evenings  with  the  Children . . 

" They  were  years  full  of  difficulties  and  perils 
and  trials,  and,  if  their  courage  and  perse- 
verance had  been  inspired  by  high  and  holy  mo- 
tives, we  should  regard  them  among  the  greatest 
of  men ; but  when  we  remember  their  avarice 
and  cruelty,  we  can  not  feel  either  sympathy  "or 
admiration  for  them. 

" In  our  next  talk  I will  tell  you  how  they  con- 
quered and  plundered  this  fair  Peruvian  empire 
which  they  had  discovered.” 


FIFTH  EVENING. 


CIVIL  WAR  IjST  PERU. 

OW,  mamma/9  said  Henry, 
"please  tell  us  how  the  Spaniards  con- 
quered Peru.” 

" What  did  I tell  you  last  evening  of  the 
extent  of  this  empire?”  replied  Mrs.  White. 

" It  extends  from  two  degrees  north  of  the  equa- 
tor to  thirty  - seven  degrees  south,”  said  Laura, 
examining  her  map  ; " and  must  have  included  the 
territories  of  the  modern  republics  of  Equador, 
Peru,  Bolivia,  and  Chili.” 


"Very  true,  my  dear,”  said  the  mother,  smil- 
ing. "I am  glad  you  have  observed  this.  It 


60  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

will  save  you  from  confounding  the  old  Peruvian 
empire  with  modern  Peru.  Pizarro,  having 
explored  the  coast  and  obtained  sufficient  evi- 
dence of  the  riches  of  the  empire,  repaired  to 
Spain,  and  laid  the  enterprise  before  the  emperor, 
Charles  the  Fifth.  Rumors  of  the  golden  land 
had  preceded  him,  and  Charles  was  well  pleased 
to  hear  the  story  of  the  adventure. 

" He  told  of  their  perils  on  the  unknown  and 
stormy  sea,  and  of  their  terrible  suffering  on  the 
dismal  and  pestilent  coast,  and  showed,  as  the  re- 
ward of  their  unconquerable  spirit,  the  gold  and  sil- 
ver they  had  collected,  which  he  represented  was 
as  a drop  to  the  ocean  when  compared  with  the 
treasures  of  the  land.  His  royal  auditor  was 
moved  to  tears  by  his  narrative,  and  gave  him  his 
gracious  permission  to  conquer  and  take  posses- 
sion of  the  country  he  had  discovered.” 

" But  what  right  had  Charles  the  Fifth  to  give 
away  the  empire  of  Peru  ? ” asked  Henry. 

" The  Spanish  government  claimed  all  the 


Civil  War  in  Peru . 


61 


land  discovered  by  its  subjects,”  replied  Mrs.. 
White. 

" But  if  the  Peruvians  had  crossed  the  ocean 
on  their  balsas , and  discovered  Spain,  they  would 
have  had  just  as  good  a right  to  it ; — that  is  my 
opinion,”  said  the  boy,  with  much  earnestness. 

"This  is  a subject  we  have  no  time  to  discuss,” 
said  the  mother ; " but  I am  well  pleased  that 
you  should  consider  the  justice  of  their  claims. 
Pizarro  did  not  act  as  if  he  was  troubled  with 
doubts  on  the  subject.  Hastily  availing  himself 
of  the  slight  assistance  offered  him  by  the  emper- 
or, he  returned  to  Panama,  and,  having  provided 
himself  with  three  ships  and  gathered  a band  of 
one  hundred  and  eighty  men,  in  the  early  part  of 
January,  1531,  he  sailed  from  that  port,  resolved, 
with  this  insignificant  force,  to  attempt  the  sub- 
jugation of  a great  empire.  They  proceeded  to 
the  island  of  Puna,  in  the  gulf  of  Guayaquil, 
where  they  were  joined  by  a re  - inforce ment  of 
one  hundred  men,  and  horses  for  the  cavalry. 


62 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


" Here  Pizarro  learned,  with  great  joy,  that  a 
civil  war  was  raging  in  the  country.  Two  broth- 
ers were  fighting  for  the  empire,  and  he  saw,  in 
this  unnatural  strife,  the  assurance  of  his  own  suc- 
cess. Leaving  the  island,  he  landed  his  little 
army  near  the  city  of  Tumbez,  and  after  several 
weeks  spent  in  reconnoitering  the  country,  they 
laid  the  foundation  of  the  city  of  San  Niguel.  I 
want  you  to  remember  that  this  was  the  first  Eu- 
ropean town  in  South  America,  and  these  adven- 
turers intended  it  as  a base  from  which  they  could 
move  in  their  perilous  enterprise,  and  a home  to 
which  they  could  send  the  sick  and  wounded. 

"Having  built  his  little  town,  and  leaving  fifty 
men  to  garrison  it,  the  daring  leader  and  his  little 
band  struck  boldly  out  into  the  country,  proclaim- 
ing everywhere  that  he  came  in  the  name  of  the 
Vicar  of  God  and  the  Sovereign  of  Spain,  to  en- 
lighten the  people  in  the  true  faith,  and  to  claim 
their  submission  to  his  imperial  master.  The 
simple  natives,  greatly  alarmed  at  their  fire  - arms 


Civil  War  in  Peru . 


63 


and  their  horses,  either  fled  at  their  approach,  or 
submitted  to  whatever  terms  they  chose  to  dictate, 
and  the  Spaniards  were  too  wise’  to  arouse  their 
anger.,  by  offering  them  any  violence  at  this 
time. 

" The  country  through  which  they  passed  was 
fruitful  and  fair.  Rain  seldom  falls  in  that  re- 
gion, but  the  industrious  and  ingenious  Peruvi- 
ans had  constructed  a vast  net  - work  of  canals 
and  aqueducts,  by  which  they  watered  their  fields 
and  gardens ; and  the  invaders  marched  through 
a paradise  of  plenty,  finding  ample  accommoda- 
tions in  the  caravansaries  which  the  Incas  had 
built  in  almost  every  village.  Thus  they  were 
provided  with  quarters  along  their  route,  at  the 
expense  of  the  government  they  were  preparing 
to  overthrow. 

" Atahuallpa,  one  of  the  rival  brothers  who 
had  been  contending  for  the  throne  of  the  Incas, 
having  achieved  a great  victory  and  made  his 
brother  a prisoner,  now  lay  with  an  army  of 


64  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

fifty  thousand  men  in  the  lofty  region  beyond  the 
western  Cordillera.  Pizarro  proceeded  directly 
to  meet  him.  He  did  not  go  as  an  open  enemy, 
but  rather  as  an  ambassador  from  his  master,  the 
emperor  of  Spain,  and  in  this  character  the  un- 
suspecting Inca  permitted  him  to  approach. 

" The  Spaniards  had  crossed  the  low  region 
which  lies  along  the  coast,  and  reached  the  mighty 
Andes,  which  rose  before  them,  their  skirts  dark 
with  evergreen  forests  and  their  crests  glittering 
with  eternal  snow.  Across  this  stupendous  ram- 
part, through  a labyrinth  of  dangerous  passes  they 
must  go.  Here  the  Peruvians  might  have  de- 
stroyed them  with  the  greatest  ease  if  they  had 
been  disposed  to  do  so  ; but  no  danger  deterred 
their  daring  leader.  ' Come  on,’  he  cried  to  his 
men.  ' Take  heart,  like  good  soldiers,  for  God 
will  fight  for  his  own.’  ' Lead  on,’  they  shouted. 

' You  shall  see  we  can  do  our  duty  in  the  cause 
of  God  and  our  King.’ 

" In  this  spirit  they  passed  on  up  the  craggy 


Civil  War  in  Peru. 


65 


ami  precipitous  mountains,  and  through  the  dark 
and  intricate  gorges,  where  a handful  of  men 
might  have  stopped  their  progress,  and  -where 
they  often  feared  they  might  arouse  an  ambushed 
foe.  It  was  hard  and  perilous  work,  for  their 
. paths  often  lay  on  the  sides  of  those  awful  fissures 
where  a false  step  would  have  plunged  them  into 
depths  their  eyes  could  not  fathom ; but  all  things 
seem  possible  to  such  brave  and  resolute  men, 
and  so  they  crossed  this  barrier  and  found  them- 
selves in  the  beautiful  and  fruitful  valley  of  Cax- 
amalca,  where  the  Inca  and  his  army  lay  en- 
camped. 

In  the  city  of  Caxamalca,  there  was  a strono- 
stone  fortress,  connected  with  low  buildings,  sur- 
rounding a large  square,  which  had  been  used  for 
military  purposes.  Here  the  Inca  hospitably  in- 
vited the  Spaniards  to  establish  their  quarters,  and 
here,  after  many  friendly  messages  had  passed 
between  them,  he  accepted  their  invitation  to 
visit  them.  The  hospitality  and  confidence  of  the 


66  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

Peruvian  monarch  was  rewarded  by  one  of  the 
most  atrocious  acts  of  perfidy  on  the  record  of 
history. 

" Atahuallpa  came  to  this  visit  with  a great 
crowd  of  unarmed  followers,  wearing  their  gay- 
est apparel  and  richest  ornaments.  He  was 
borne  on  the  shoulders  of  his  nobles,  seated  in  a 
chair  of  massive  gold,  in  a palanquin  lined  with 
the  richly  colored  plumes  of  tropical  birds  and 
studded  with  glittering  plates  of  gold  and  silver. 
He  wore  a magnificent  collar  of  emeralds,  and  on 
his  forehead  the  crimson  fringe  which  was  the 
badge  of  royalty.  His  garments,  of  fine  wool, 
were  gorgeously  embroidered  with  gold  and  pre- 
cious stones.” 

O mamma,”  cried  Laura,  " he  must  have 
looked  magnificent.  I did  not  know  the  Indians 
had  anything  so  splendid.” 

" It  was  no  doubt  a grand  sight,  for  one  of  the 
conquerors  informs  us  that  the  royal  retinue,  as 
they  entered  the  great  square,  fairly  blazed  like 


Civil  War  in  Peru . 


67 


the  sun.  Little  dreaming  of  the  fate  that  awaited 
them,  they  came  with  shouts  and  songs,  and,  to 
the  number  of  five  or  six  thousand,  surrounded 
the  person  of  their  venerated  sovereign. 

" This  was  on  the  sixteenth  of  November,  1532, 
the  memorable  day  that  decided  the  fate  of  the 
Peruvian  empire.  The  plan  of  the  cruel  and  per- 
fidious Spaniard  was  perfected,  and  every  circum- 
stance favored  its  execution.  He  knew  that  if  he 
could  obtain  possession  of  the  person  of  the  Inca, 
the  fate  of  the  nation  was  in  his  hands.  The  em- 
pire, with  all  its  wealth  and  power,  would  be 
like  a body  without  a head.  The  political  sys- 
tem would  be  in  ruins,  and  there  would  be  no 
strength  to  oppose  him.” 

” But  could  they  do  nothing  without  the  Inca, 
mamma?”  inquired  Henry  ; " you  say  they  were  a 
great  people,  and  he  was  only  one  man.” 

" The  Peruvian  state  was  so  different  from  our 
own,  that  it  is  very  difficult  for  you  to  understand 
it.  As  I told  you,  the  sun  was  the  God  of  the 


68 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


Peruvians,  and  they  regarded  the  Incas  as  his 
children,  whom,  in  his  beneficence,  he  had  sent  to 
protect  and  govern  them.  The  Inca  was  more 
than  a father,  more  than  a king.  He  was  the 
soul  of  the  body  politic,  and  Pizarro  judged  cor- 
rectly, that  the  body  without  the  soul  is  power- 
less, so,  instead  of  fighting  and  conquering  the 
nation,  he  prepared  to  make  himself  its  master  by 
one  bold  stroke. 

The  great  square  of  which  I told  you,  sur- 
rounded by  the  low  stone  buildings,  which  had 
been  assigned  to  the  Spaniards,  seemed  like  a 
trap  which  the  unwary  Inca  had  made  for  himself, 
and  into  which  he  came  with  all  his  unarmed 
followers.  When  the  procession  halted,  the  Pe- 
ruvian monarch  was  met,  not,  as  he  expected,  by 
Pizarro,  to  thank  him  for  his  condescension  in 
coming,  but  by  a priest,  who  approached  him 
with  a crucifix  in  his  hand,  and  haughtily  de- 
manded that  he  should  renounce  the  errors  of  his 
faith  and  embrace  Christianity,  and,  furthermore, 


Civil  War  in  Peru. 


69 


that  he  should  acknowledge  himself  the  vassal  and 
tributary  of  the  Sovereign  of  Spain. 

" The  eyes  of  the  Indian  flashed  fire  at  this  in- 
sult. 'I  will  be  no  man’s  vassal,’  he  cried,  ' and, 
as  to  my  faith,  I will  not  change  it.’  The  priest 
returned  and  reported  his  answer  to  Pizarro,  who 
was  concealed  in  the  fortress  with  his  followers. 
A gun  was  fired,  and  with  the  old  cry  of  ' St. 
Jago  and  at  them  !’  every  Spaniard  sprang  into 
the  square,  and  threw  themselves,  with  the  fury 
of  demons,  on  the  unarmed,  unsuspicious  crowd. 
Nobles  and  people  were  trampled  under  the  fierce 
charge  of  cavalry.  The  panic  - stricken  mass, 
which  found  no  way  of  escape,  was  swept  by  the 
artillery  and  musketry,  and  blinded  by  the  sul- 
phurous smoke  which  wrapped  them  like  a cloud.” 
"O  mamma,”  cried  Laura,  " could  the  Spaniards 
be  so  cruel  as  to  murder  these  poor  people,  who 
had  come  to  make  them  a friendly  visit  ? ” 

" Yes,  my  dear,  they  murdered  them,  and  with 
a treachery  and  ingratitude  so  great  that  history 


70  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

hardly  shows  a parallel  for  their  crime.  The  Pe- 
ruvians, with  a touching  fidelity,  crowded  around 
their  beloved  ruler,  and  covered  his  sacred  person 
with  their  own  defenseless  bodies.  They  had 
nothing  but  their  numbers  to  oppose  the  Spanish 
arms,  and  the  dead  were  soon  piled  in  heaps 
around  the  royal  litter.  The  conflict,  or  rather 
the  massacre,  was  of  short  duration.  The  whole 
time,  it  is  said,  did  not  exceed  half  an  hour,  but 
five  or  six  thousand  Indians  lay  dead  or  dying  in 
the  great  square,  and  the  Inca  was  a prisoner  in 
the  hands  of  the  Spaniards/5 


SIXTH  EVENING. 


DEATH  OF  ATAHUALLPA. 

.LEASE  tell  us  what  became  of 
poor  Atahuallpa,”  said  Laura,  as  soon  as 
the  school  books  were  laid  aside.  " You 
know  we  left  him  in  the  hands  of  the 
cruel  and  treacherous  Spaniards.  I can’t  help 
hating  them,  — and  I could  not  sleep  last  night 
for  thinking  of  him.” 

r'  The  captive  Inca  must  have  been  overwhelmed 
by  the  sudden  and  unexpected  calamity  which  had 
befallen  him,  but  he  behaved  with  great  calmness 
and  dignity.  He  was  informed  that  his  person 
would  be  safe  so  long  as  his  people  remained  quiet. 


72  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

and  he  made  no  attempt  to  escape.  He  wanted 
his  freedom,  but  neither  he  nor  his  people  dared 
make  any  effort,  for  they  knew  the  first  move- 
ment would  cost  him  his  life.  In  the  hope  of 
effecting  his  purpose  by  appealing  to  the  avarice 
of  his  captors,  he  offered,  if  they  would  set  him 
free,  to  fill  the  room  in  which  he  was  confined 
with  gold  as  high  as  he  could  reach.  The  Span- 
iards heard  of  the  offer  with  incredulity,  but  they 
accepted  it,  and  a written  contract  was  made.” 

" O mamma,  how  large  was  that  room  ? ” cried 
Henry. 

" The  historian  tells  us  it  was  twenty  - two  feet 
long  by  seventeen  wide.” 

"And  did  he  really  fill  it  with  gold, — with 
solid  gold?” 

" Not  with  solid  gold  ; — according  to  the  con- 
tract the  articles  were  thrown  together  in  the  shape 
in  which  they  were  found.  The  Inca  sent  his 
servants  to  the  great  cities  to  collect  the  treasure, 
and  the  city  of  Cuzco  alone  furnished  as  much  as 


Death  of  Atahuallpa.  73 

four  hundred  Indians  could  carry.  The  spoil 

taken  from  the  temples  and  royal  palaces,  was 
composed  of  ornaments  and  utensils  of  every  size 
and  shape, — -goblets,  vases,  tiles,  plates,  and 
curious  imitations  of  plants  and  animals.  Among 
the  plants,  the  most  beautiful  was  the  Indian  corn, 
the  golden  ear  sheathed  in  leaves  of  silver,  from 
which  hung  a rich  tassel  of  silver  threads.5’ 

"Oh,  how  beautiful  that  must  have  been  !”  ex- 
claimed Laura.  " I wish  I could  see  such  corn.55 

"Yes,  my  dear,  those  were  beautiful  and  costly 
things,  but  they  were  not  so  precious  to  the  Inca 
as  his  freedom,  which  he  hoped  to  purchase  with 
them.  The  great  temple  at  Cuzco,  which  had 
been  the  pride  and  glory  of  the  empire,  was  liter- 
ally a mine  of  gold,  and  among  the  spoils  was 
the  great  image  of  the  sun  which  had  adorned 
that  temple.  This  image  consisted  of  a human 
face,  looking  forth  from  amidst  innumerable  rays, 
as  you  may  have  seen  the  sun  represented.  It 
was  engraven  on  a massive  plate  of  gold,  of 


74  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

enormous  dimensions,  and  thickly  powdered  with 
precious  stones.  It  is  said  that,  besides  this, 
seven  hundred  plates  of  gold  and  silver  were  taken 
from  this  building.  The  poor  Peruvians  were 
sadly  grieved  to  see  their  temples  despoiled,  but 
they  offered  no  resistance,  for  it  was  the  com- 
mand of  the  Inca,  and  they  were  accustomed  to 
implicit  obedience. 

"After  a while  the  gold,  valued  at  fifteen  and 
a half  millions  of  dollars,  was  collected,  and 
Atahuallpa  demanded  his  freedom,  but  Pizarro, 
who  probably  never  intended  to  set  him  at  liberty, 
now  accused  him  of  secretly  mustering  his  armies, 
with  the  intention  of  attacking  the  Spaniards. 
The  captive  monarch,  probably  foreseeing  the  con- 
sequence of  this  accusation,  denied  it  most  earn- 
estly. ' Am  I not  a poor  captive  in  your  hands  ? 9 
he  said.  ' How  could  I harbor  the  design  you 
impute  to  me,  when  I should  be  the  first  victim 
of  an  outbreak  ? And  you  little  know  my  people 
if  you  think  such  a movement  would  be  made 


Death  of  Atahuallpa. 


75 


without  my  orders,  when  the  very  birds  in  my 
dominion  would  scarcely  venture  to  fly  contrary 
to  my  will.” 

" It  made  no  difference  that  this  was  the  truth. 
The  Spaniards  had  decided  that  it  was  unsafe  to 
give  their  captive  his  liberty,  and  it  was  incon- 
venient to  hold  him  a prisoner ; therefore  he  must 
die.  They  seem  to  have  considered  it  necessary 
to  have  an  excuse  for  this  barbarous  murder,  so 
they  tried  him  on  the  charge  of  conspiracy ; add- 
ing to  his  indictment  that  he  was  a polygamist 
and  idolater.  With  a cruelty  which  appears  un- 
equaled, they  condemned  their  helpless  victim  to 
be  burned  alive  on  the  very  night  in  which  he  re- 
ceived his  sentence. 

" When  this  inhuman  sentence  was  communi- 
cated to  the  unfortunate  Inca,  for  a moment  the 
overwhelming  calamity  seemed  to  unman  him. 
'What  have  I done,’ he  cried,  addressing  Pizarro, 
' that  I should  meet  such  a fate  ? And  from  your 
hands,  too,  who  have  met  with  friendship  and 


76"  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

kindness  from  my  people,  and  who  have  received 
only  benefits  from  me  ! ’ ” 

" And  did  they  burn  the  poor  Inca,  mamma?  ” 
said  Laura,  her  eyes  glistening  with  tears. 

"No,  my  dear,  they  did  not  burn  him.  The 
Spanish  priest  who  had  sanctioned  the  iniquitous 
sentence,  accompanied  him  to  the  place  of  execu- 
tion, and  with  great  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  his 
soul,  besought  him  to  embrace  Christianity  and 
be  baptized,  assuring  him  that,  if  he  did  so,  he 
should  be  strangled  instead  of  burned. 

"We  can  not  suppose  that  the  Inca  had  a de- 
sire to  embrace  the  faith  of  his  treacherous  and 
cruel  enemies,  but  for  the  sake  of  a less  painful 
death  he  acquiesced  in  the  proposal,  and  the  priest 
performed  the  solemn  mockery  of  the  most  sacred  , 
rite  of  our  holy  religion,  and  he  was  mercifully 
permitted  to  die  by  the  garrote  instead  of  the 
fagot.  Thus,  on  the  twenty  - ninth  of  August, 
1533,  Atahuallpa,  the  last  of  the  Incas,  perished 
by  the  death  of  a malefactor ; and  the  great  em- 


Death  of  Aiahuallpa . 


77 


pire  over  which  he  ruled,  like  an  arch  when  the 
key  - stone  is  removed,  fell  by  its  own  weight, 
and  crumbled  into  ruins  beneath  the  feet  of  the 
conquerors.5’ 

"But,  mamma,”  said  Henry,  "did  the  Peru- 
vians  submit  without  resistance?  I should  like 
them  better  if  they  had  died  in  the  ' last  ditch,5 
fighting  for  liberty.” 

" They  did  not  submit  without  resistance.  The 
death  of  Atahuallpa  was  followed  by  fierce  but 
ineffectual  struggles,  in  which  they  inflicted  some 
damage  on  the  Spaniards,  but  received  a hundred 
fold  more  themselves.  They  had  no  leader  capa- 
ble of  uniting  and  controlling  them,  and  the 
horses  and  the  fire  - arms  of  their  enemies  gave 
them  an  immeasurable  advantage  over  them  in 
battle  ; so,  after  a few  years,  they  seem  to  have 
yielded  in  despair  and  sunk  into  hopeless  bondage. 

" When  the  Spaniards  obtained  possession  of 
Peru,  they  found  the  country  well  advanced  in 
the  arts  of  civilization.  The  valleys  were  teem- 


78 


Evenings  with  the  Children. 


ing  with  the  fruits  of  a patient  and  scientific  cult- 
ure ; the  uplands  were  whitened  with  flocks,  and 
the  whole  land  rejoiced  in  its  abundance.  Instead 
of  introducing  a higher  civilization  and  a better 
government,  the  land  was  given  up  to  pillage, 
and  the  wretched  natives  were  parceled  out  like 
slaves,  to  toil  for  their  conquerors  in  the  mines. 
The  flocks  were  wantonly  destroyed  ; the  grana- 
ries were  emptied  ; the  beautiful  and  costly  works 
for  irrigating  the  soil  were  suffered  to  fall  into 
decay;  and,  at  this  time,  the  country  is  far  less 
fruitful  and  populous  than  at  the  time  of  the  con- 
quest ; and  the  Indian,  after  three  centuries  of 
bondage  and  degradation,  seems  like  an  alien  in 
the  land  of  his  fathers. 

"The  poor  Indians,  while  they  saw  the  ruin  of 
the  country,  might  have  felt  some  satisfaction  in 
witnessing  the  misery  of  their  conquerors.  Ava- 
rice and  ambition  are  never  satisfied,  and  the 
Spaniards  soon  began  to  quarrel  over  their  spoils, 
and  to  destroy  each  other  ; it  is  said  that  not  one 


Death  of  Aiahucillpa. 


79 


of  those  who  were  responsible  for  the  murder  of 
Atahuallpa  died  a natural  death.  Pizarro  was 
assassinated  in  his  own  house,  and  his  body  wras 
secretly  buried  in  the  night  to  save  it  from  the 
violence  of  his  enemies.  ' And  there  was  none/ 
says  an  old  chronicle,  ' even  to  say  God  forgife 
him.’  Thus  miserably  perished  the  conquerors  of 
Peru,  and  the  power  and  wealth,  gained  through 
so  much  toil  and  suffering  and  crime,  could 
never  have  made  them  happy.” 

Mrs.  White  paused,  and  Henry  said,  thought- 
fully, " I am  sure  I shall  study  the  map  of  South 
America  with  more  interest,  now  that  I know 
even  a very  little  of  its  history.” 

" It  is  only  a little  that  I can  tell  you  in  these 
short  evenings,”  said  the  mother;  " but  if  you 
remember  this,  it  will  be  better  than  a volume 
read  carelessly.  To  - morrow  evening  I will  tell 
you  something  of  the  present  appearance  of  this 
region,  and  I think  you  will  be  the  more  inter- 
ested for  knowing  something  of  its  history.” 


SEVENTH  EVENING. 

THE  CITY  OF  GUAYAQUIL. 

HAT  did  I promise  to  talk  about 
evening?”  said  Mrs.  White,  as 
children  closed  their  school  - books 
drew  their  chairs  near  her. 

" Why,  mamma,”  said  Laura,  "we  are  to  resume 
our  travels,  you  know.  We  have  been  stopping 
several  days  at  Panama,  and  now  we  are  ready  to 
visit  South  America.” 

"Very  well,  then  we  will  embark  on  the  coast 
steamer,  which  leaves  Panama  the  thirteenth  of 
every  month,  and,  following  in  the  track  of  Pi- 
zarro,  we  shall  find  ourselves  in  the  city  of  Guay- 
aquil in  four  or  five  days.  We  are  fortunate,  as 


The  City  of  Guayaquil.  81 

9' 

this  is  the  best  season  of  the  year  for  this  voyage, 
and  we  shall  probably  find  the  great  ocean,  that 
treated  those  early  adventurers  so  roughly,  quiet 
enough  to  merit  the  name  of  Pacific.  You  re- 
member that  they  were  about  three  years  reaching 
this  point.” 

" But  we  have  not  stopped  to  explore  the  coast 
as  they  did,”  said  Henry.  " Should  we  find  it  so 
frightful  now,  mamma?” 

"The  coast  retains  the  same  natural  features, 
but  there  are  a few  sea  - ports  where  we  might 
land,  instead  of  plunging  into  the  mangrove 
swamps.  There  is,  however,  very  little  to  inter- 
est the  traveler,  and  nothing  which  we  will  stop 
to  examine. 

" This  city  of  Guayaquil  is  situated  on  the  river 
Guayas,  near  where  it  empties  into  the  gulf 
of  Guayaquil.  As  we  move  up  the  stream 
to  the  steamboat*  landing,  everything  about 
us  reminds  us  that  we  are  in  a strange  land. 
Hundreds  of  canoes,  rowed  by  dark  - faced  men, 


82 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


glide  to  and  fro, — and  here  are  the  balsas , the 
Peruvian  balsas , just  like  that  one  which  the  old 
pilot  Euis  saw,  with  so  much  surprise,  more  than 
three  hundred  years  ago.  You  remember  I told 
you  about  it  ? ” 

. " Oh,  yes,”  said  Laura.  "It  was  on  that,  that 
the  Spaniards  and  Peruvians  first  met.” 

" They  are  bringing  the  products  of  the  sur- 
rounding country  into  the  city,  for  nearly  all  the 
exports  of  Equador  pass  through  this  port ; and 
if  there  were  among  the  people  the  same  industry 
and  enterprise  which  we  witness  in  our  own  coun- 
try, it  would  be  made  a large  and  beautiful  town ; 
but,  as  we Tand,  we  find  that  the  streets  are  .ex- 
ceedingly filthy,  and  the  buildings  have  a thrift- 
less, tumble  - down  appearance,  which  surprises 
us.  Even  the  great  cathedral,  which  has  an  ele- 
gant design,  is  a shabby  structure,  and  the  pic- 
tures and  images,  which  are  designed  to  adorn  it, 
'are  wretched  caricatures. 

" The  people  we  meet  in  the  street  are  so  differ- 


The  City  of  Guayaquil . 


83 


ent  in  their  persons,  manners  and  dress  from  any 
we  have  seen  before,  that  they  impress  us  more 
than  the  aspect  of  the  city.  Here  is  an  Indian, 
a descendant,  for  aught  we  know,  of  the  rich  and 
powerful  Incas.  Look  at  him  ! He  wears  trou- 
sers, made  of  some  coarse  stuff,  which  reach  on- 
ly to  the  knee ; a straw  hat  with  brim  so  wide 
that  it  looks  like  an  umbrella ; and  his  shoulders 
are  covered  with  a poncho,  striped  like  an  Arab’s 
blanket.” 

♦ 

"Please  tell  us  what  a poncho  is,”  said  Laura. 

" A poncho  is  a square  cloth,  with  a slit  in  the 
middle,  so  that  it  can  be  drawn  over  the  head, 
and  fall  loosely  all  around.  This  garment,  made 
of  different  material,  is  worn  by  all  classes,  and, 
for  its  convenience,  it  is  generally  adopted  by 
travelers. 

" Our  Indian  has  a stolid,  beardless,  bronze - 
colored  face,  with  a sad,  patient  expression,  as  if- 
the  wrongs  and  degradation  of  his  race  were  ever 
present  to  his  mind.  He  never  sings  and  seldom 


84 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


laughs,  but  silently,  with  slow,  reluctant  steps, 
bears  his  heavy  burden  through  the  street.  He  is 
the  beast  of  burden  here.  You  seldom  see  horses 
or  carriages,  but  everywhere  the  Indians  with 
their  broad  shoulders  bending;  under  their  loads. 

"And  here  is  a black  -eyed  Spanish  lady,  with 
small  feet  and  delicate  hands,  her  head  gracefully 
wrapped  in  the  black  lace  mantilla.  By  her  side 
walks  a descendant  of  the  conquerors,  one  of  the 
race  that  for  three  centuries  has  ruled,  and  nearly 
ruined,  this  country.  He  is  heavily  bearded,  and 
wears  a poncho  of  fine  cloth,  and  a broad  - 
brimmed  Panama  hat.  These  Panama  hats  are 
manufactured  here,  and  are  one  of  the  principal 
articles  of  export.” 

" Pray,  mamma,  what  are  they  made  of  ? ” said 
Laura. 

" Of  the  leaves  of  the  toquilla,  and  they  are 
sometimes  called  Toquilla  hats,  which  is  certain- 
ly a more  proper  name.  The  leaves,  which  re- 
semble palm  leaves,  are  cut  while  they  are  green, 


The  City  of  Guayaquil . 


85 


and  split  into  fine  shreds.  It  is  then  boiled  to 
make  it  soft  and  elastic,  and  bleached  in  the  sun 
till  it  is  white,  and  then,  with  great  patience  and 
skill,  it  is  wrought  by  the  fingers  of  the  Indian 
women  into  these  beautiful  hats.  It  requires  the 
labor  of  two  or  three  months  to  make  a good  one, 
but  it  will  last  a life-time,  and,  in  a warm  cli- 
mate^ it  is  the  most  convenient  of  hats,  as  it  can 
be  folded  up  and  packed  away  in  a vest  pocket.” 

" That  is  just  the  hat  I want,”  said  Henry. 
" Why  can’t  I have  one,  mamma?  ” 

" I am  afraid  you  can  not  be  gratified,  my 
dear,”  replied  the  mother,  smiling.  "These  hats 
are  too  expensive  for  general  use.  The  best  ones 
are  worth  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and 
I fear  that  even  the  poorest  are  beyond  our 
reach.” 

" Never  mind,  Henry,”  said  his  sister.  "I  am 
going  to  learn  to  make  Panama  hats,  and  then 
you  shall  have  a nice  one.” 

" This  Spanish  gentleman,”  continued  Mrs. 


86  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

White,  laughing  with  the  children,  "probably  has 
a small  dagger  concealed  under  his  poncho,  but 
you  need  not  fear  ; if  you  do  not  make  him  angry, 
he  will  treat  you  with  great  politeness  and  hospi- 
tality. The  poor  Indians  who  take  off  their  big 
hats  as  they  pass  us,  muttering,  'Blessed  be  the 
altar  of  God/  are  harmless  and  kind.  Professor 
Orton  assures  us  that  we  can  travel  here  with  as 
much  safety  as  in  our  own  country,  and  that  even 
among  the  poor  mountaineers,  we  shall  be  treated 
with  a warm  - hearted  and  generous  hospitality 
which  we  do  not  often  witness  at  home. 

" The  northern  summer  is  the  best  season  for 

traveling  in  Equador,  as  well  as  for  sailing  on 

j 

the  coast.  'You  know  that  within  the  tropics 
there  is  neither  spring,  nor  autumn,  nor  winter. 
The  year  is  divided  into  the  rainy  and  the  dry 
seasons.  'The  dry  season  commences  here  in  June 
and  continues  till  November,  and,  as  we  are 
south  of  the  equator,  July  is  the  coldest  part  of 
the  year.  This  port  has  earned  the  reputation  of 


The  City  of  Guayaquil . 


87 


being  one  of  the  most  pestiferous  spots  on  this 
globe  during  the  wet  season,  but,  at  this  time, 
no  place  is  more  healthy.  The  alternate  land 
jpid  sea  breezes  are  cool  and  invigorating.  The 
climate  is  nearly  perfect,  and  we  are  surprised  to 
enjoy  so  much  comfort  in  the  torrid  zone ; but  if 
we  had  been  here  five  or  six  months  ago,  we 
should  have  found  it  very  different.  The  air, 
then,  was  intolerably  damp,  hot  and  oppressive; 
the  plains  around  the  city,  which  are  now  covered 
with  the  richest  vegetation,  were  then  flooded  with 
water,  and  even  some  of  the  streets  were  impas- 

a* 

sable ; and  the  intolerable  mosquitoes  and  cock- 
roaches, the  disgusting  centipedes  and  venomous 
snakes,  would  have  made  us  wish  for  our  north- 
ern home. 

” As  we  walk  through  the  market,  we  observe 
the  great  abundance  and  variety  of  fruits.  Here 
are  oranges,  lemons,  limes,  plantains,  bananas, 
melons,  pine  - apples  and  cocoa-nuts,  and  many 
others  which  we  have  never  seen  before.  And 


88  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

here  are  ice  and  snow  brought  from  Chimborazo. 
We  can  buy  it  for  one  dollar  a pound,  and  we 
can  get  a glass  of  pine  - apple  ice-cream,  which  is 
really  delicious  in  this  climate. 

" But,  from  the  balcony  of  our  hotel,  we  behold 
a landscape  which  makes  us  forget  the  city  and 
all  it  contains.  For  days,  perhaps,  the  mount- 
ains have  been  covered  with  a veil  of  mist,  but 
suddenly  the  curtain  rises,  and  we  are  speech- 
less with  admiration  and  awe,  as  the  stupendous 
Andes,  in  their  inconceivable  grandeur,  are  re- 
vealed to  us.  Looking  to  the  south-east,  we  be- 
hold a sea  of  hills  rolling  away  in  green  billows, 
the  color  changing  into  indescribable  tints  as  they 
rise  higher  and  higher,  till  they  culminate  in  the 
mighty  peaks  of  Peru ; to  the  north  - east  the 
peerless  Chimborazo  lifts  its  untrodden  and  unap- 
proachable summit  into  the  heavens.  As  the  sun 
declines  towards  the  west,  the  great  snow  - 
crowned  dome  reflects  his  rays  in  a dazzling  glory, 
and,  as  the  shadows  creep  upward,  there  is  a 


The  City  of  Guayaquil . 89 

play  of  colors  on  the  mountain  side,  wonderful  and 
never  forgotten  by  those  who  have  seen  it.  Per- 
haps this  resembles  the  wonderful  clouds  we  some- 
times see  at  sunset,  more  than  anything  else  I 
can  remind  you  of;  but  the  gold  and  vermilion, 
the  purple  and  amber,  mingle  and  change  more 
rapidly  on  the  mountain,  and  produce  a more 
beautiful  effect. 

" A traveler,  who  has  seen  a large  part  of  the 
world,  says,' — -'It is  worth  a long  voyage  to  see 
this  picture  which  nature  nowhere  repeats.’  ” 

Mrs.  White  paused,  and  Laura  said,  "I  do  be- 
lieve, mamma,  my  eyes  ache  with  the  glory  of  the 
mountains.” 

" I believe  they  are  heavy  with  sleep,”  replied 
the  mother.  " So  we  will  rest  till  another  day.” 


EIGHTH  EVENING. 

CLIMATE  AND  PRODUCTIONS. 

THINK  we  must  content  ourselves 
^\f|  f with  our  brief  and  imperfect  observation 
on  the  city  of  Guayaquil,”  said  Mrs. 
#3?  White,  " and  proceed  on  our  journey* 
We  will  take  the  route  most  frequently  followed 
by  travelers,  which  will  lead  to  Quito.” 

w Oh,  that  will  be  delightful ! ” exclaimed 
Laura.  " I would  rather  go  to  Quito  than  to 
London.” 

" Or  to  Paris,”  said  Henry.  " I do  want  to 
know  how  that  city  looks  among  the  mountains, 
and  how  the  mountains  look  around  the  city.” 

'r  We  will  take  passage  on  one  of  the  small 


Climate  and  Productions . 


91 


steamers  that  ply  on  the  Guayas.  The  river 
flows  sluggishly  through  a fertile  valley,  and,  as 
we  proceed,  we  may  observe  how  beautifully  our 
heavenly  Father  supplies  this  tropical  region  with 
the  fruits  of  the  earth.  As  soon  as  we  get  out  of 
the  city,  we  see  the  banks  lined  with  forests  of 
banana  and  plantain  trees.  This  fruit  is  the  most 
common  article- of  food  here,  and  is  eaten  raw, 
roasted,  baked,  boiled  and  fried.  It  grows  on  a 
stem  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  high,  formed  of  sheath- 
like leaf- stalks,  rolled  over  one  another,  and 
terminating  in  enormous  green,  glossy  blades, 
eight  or  ten  feet  long  by  two  feet  wide.  Each 
tree  produces  fruit  but  once,  and  then  dies.  A 
single  bunch  often  weighs  sixty  or  seventy 
pounds.” 

" What  a strange  tree,  mamma  ! ” said  Henry. 

"Yes,  my  dear,  it  seems  to  us  a very  strange 
tree,  with  its  rich  fruit  and  long  leaves,  and  we 
must  not  forget  that  it  is  one  of  the  most  useful 
that  God  has  given  to  man.” 


92  Evenings  tvith  the  Children . 

" Do  you  mean  that  the  banana  and  plantain 
trees  are  all  one?”  inquired  Laura. 

" I did  speak  of  them  as  if  they  were  one,  but 
that  is  not  so.  They  are  different  species  of  the 
same  genus.  The  fruit  of  the  plantain  is  pris- 
matic in  shape,  and,  uncooked,  is  considered  un- 
healthy; the  banana,  which  is  not  half  as  large, 
is  cylindrical,  and,  as  you  know,  is  delicious,  raw. 
It  is  said  thafffour  thousand  pounds  of  plantains 
will  grow  on  as  much  grouijd  as  it  takes  to  pro- 
duce a bushel  of  wheat,  and  that  no  article  of 
food  costs  so  little  in  proportion  to  its  value. 

"A  little  farther  on,  and  the  breezes  waft  to  us 
rich  perfume  from  groves  of  oranges  and  lemons  ; 
and  we  can  see  the  ripening  fruit,  golden  and 
fragrant,  amid  the  shining  leaves.  Passing  these, 
the  steamer  bears  us  along  - side  of  broad  fields 
covered  with  the  prickly  pine  - apple ; and  be- 
yond these  we  move  between  orchards  of  mango 
and  bread  fruit  trees,  or  great  plantations  of 
cacao  and  coffee  arrest  our  attention;  and,  high 


Climate  and  Productions . 


93 


above  all,  the  beautiful  cocoa  - nut  palm  lifts  its 
crown  of  glory.” 

" Please,  tell  us  what  is  cacao,  mamma?”  said 
Henry. 

w Cacao  is  the  shrub  which  produces  the  nuts 
from  wdiich  chocolate  is  made.  It  resembles  lilac 
in  size  and  shape,  and  the  flowers  and  fruit  grow 
directly  out  of  the  trunk  and  branches.  It  yields 
three  crops  a year,  which  ripen  in  March,  June 
and  September.  It  is  indigenous  to  this  coast, 
and  grows  in  the  greatest  abundance.  Twenty 
million  pounds  are  annually  exported  from  Guay- 
aquil, and  it  contributes  more  than  any  other 
product  of  the  soil  to  the  wealth  and  commerce  of 
Equador.” 

"I  think  1 will  settle  here  and  go  to  farming,” 
said  Henry.  " Won’t  it  be  nice,  Laura,  to  have 
oranges  and  pine  - apples  and  cpcoa  - nuts  in  our 
garden  ? ” 

" Splendid  ! ” replied  Laura  ; " and  we  will  have 
pure  coffee  and  chocolate,  won’t  we  ? And  when 


94  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

we  want  bread,  we  can  gather  it  from  the  trees. 
Ah,  it  will  be  fine.” 

Us 

The  mother  laughed.  " How  would  you  like 
the  long  and  oppressive  heat,  the  dreary  rains, 
the  musquitoes,  the  snakes  and  the  fevers?”  she 
said; 

"Oh,  I hadn’t  thought  of  those,”  said  Henry. 

" The  tropical  region  has  many  delights,  yet  I 
do  not  think  you  would  choose  it  for  a home. 
The  fruits  are  abundant  and  delicious,  but  we 
should  not  gain  so  very  much  by  exchanging  our 
berries,  peaches,  pears,  grapes  and  apples  for 
them ; and  if  they  were  a great  deal  better,  I am 
sure  we  could  not  afford  to  barter  the  inherit- 
ance which  we  possess  in  our  free  and  well  es- 
tablished government  for  such  advantages. 

" Having  proceeded  seventy  miles  up  the  river, 
we  must  leave  the  steamboat  and  take  to  horses 
and  mules  for  the  rest  of  the  journey  to  Quito.” 

"Why  don’t  they  have  a railroad?”  inquired 
Henry. 


Climate  and  Productions . 


95 


" A railroad  over  the  Andes,  my  dear,  if  the 

thing  is  indeed  possible,  would  tax  the  resources 

• 

of  a great  and  rich  nation  ; but  Equador  is  a weak 
state,  the  government  is  not  well  established,  and 
the  people  have  not  the  industry  and  enterprise 
necessary  to  sustain  even  a stage  coach  on  the 
road  which  leads  from  the  capital  to  the  principal 
sea  - port.  As  we  travel  through  the  country,  the 
proofs  of  indolence  and  indifference  to  the  com- 
forts of  civilized  life  will  astonish  you,  and  you 
will  learn  that  human  poverty  and  wretchedness 
may  be  very  great  in  the  midst  of  natural  wealth. 

" The  villages  are  groups  of  bamboo  huts,  oft- 
en on  stilts,  because  the  site  is  flooded  in  the 
rainy  season.  Idle  men,  filthy  and  ill  - clad, 
lounge  in  the  shade  ; sad  - looking  women,  carry- 
ing naked  children,  or  red  water  jars,  on  their 
backs,  walk  listlessly  through  the  streets  ; black 
hogs  and  lean  poultry  wander  at  will  into  the 
houses.  Such  is  the  aspect  of  rural  life  that 
meets  you  here. 


96 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


" You  must  not  expect  to  find  hotels  on  this 
route,  where  you  can  obtain  good  beds  and  well 
cooked  meals.  The  traveler  is  fortunate  to  find 
shelter  in  a bamboo  hut  when  night  approaches, 
and  to  have  the  privilege  of  making  his  chocolate 
over  a fire  built  on  the  mud  floor.  It  is  said  there 
is  not  a chimney  in  the  republic.” 

" O mamma,  how  does  the  smoke  get  out.?  ” 
exclaimed  Laura. 

" The  smoke  is  allowed  to  follow  ' it’s  own 
sweet  will,’  my  dear.  It  settles  down  in  a suf- 
focating mass  in  the  hut,  or  escapes  through  the 
open  door,  and  the  many  cracks  in  the  walls. 
You  think  this  is  not  a nice  way  of  keeping 
house,  but  the  natives,  who  know  of  nothing  bet- 
ter, seem  quite  contented  and  happy  in  the  midst 
of  their  smoke  and  dirt. 

" But,  as  we  proceed,  the  wonderful  and  ever  - 
varying  beauty  of  nature  makes  us  forget  all  in- 
conveniences. ' Delight  is  a weak  term,’  says  a 
recent  traveler,  ' to  express  the  feeling  of  one  who 


Climate  and  Productions . 97 

wanders  for  the  first  time  in  a South  American  flor- 
id 

est.  This  road  to  the  Andes  is  a paradise  to  a 
contemplative  man.’ 

" As  we  approach  the  mountains,  our  path  lies 
for  miles  through  an  unbroken  wilderness,  where 
the  buds  of  spring,  the  flowers  of  summer  and  the 
fruits  of  autumn  are  perpetually  mingled ; but 
when  we.  begin  the  ascent,  our  road  becomes  more 
rugged  and  difficult,  and  we  soon  notice  a change 
in  the  vegetable  and  animal  life.  We  leave  the 
plantain  and  the  palm,  the  snakes  and  the  mos- 
quitoes behind  us.  In  beautiful,  sheltered  val- 
leys, .among  the  hills,  we  find  little  villages.  The 
huts  are  not  built  of  bamboo  as  on  the  lowland, 
but . of  sun  - dried  blocks  of  mud  and  straw, 
called  adobe.  There  are  herds  of  cattle  and 
fields  of  potatoes  and  wheat.  Nature  is  still 
beautiful,  but  the  people  are  indolent  and  poor. 
With  such  possibilities  of  comfort,  it  is  painful 
to  witness  their  miserable  diet,  their  raggedness 
and  filth. 


98  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

" Still  ascending,  we  leave  the  wheat  fields, 

> 

and  enter  a wilderness  of  craggy  and  precipitous 
mountains,  covered  only  with  a long,  wiry  grass 
called  paja.  The  road  lies  along  the  side  of 
Chimborazo,  and  reaches  an  elevation  of  more 
than  fourteen  thousand  feet.  Nature  has  noth- 
ing to  reveal  to  the  eye  of  man  more  stupendous 
than  the  scenes  which  she  here  unfolds  to  us.  The 
untrodden  and  unapproachable  summit  of  the 
great  mountain  lies  to  the  west  of  us.  The 
snowy  dome,  eight  thousand  feet  above  our  heads, 
is  flooded  with  golden  sunlight,  and  we  look  down 
into  dark  gorges  beneath  us,  where  Vesuvius 
might  be  buried  out  of  sight.  The  sublimity  is 
overwhelming,  the  vast  ness  oppressive,  and  the 
loneliness  brings  us  nearer  to  God.” 

" But  do  you  think,”  said  Henry,  " that  no  man 
will  ever  reach  the  summit  of  Chimborazo  ? ” 

" The  difficulties  appear  to  be  insurmountable. 
The  great  quantity  of  snow,  the  awful  precipices 
and  fissures  baffle  the  strength  of  man ; and  be- 


Climate  and  Productions . 


99 


sides  these,  the  air  is  so  rarefied  at  such  a hight, 
that  it  would  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to 
breathe.  At  this  elevation,  which  is  only  a thou- 
sand feet  less  than  the  summit  of  Mount  Blanc, 
the  traveler  is  usually  affected  with  violent  head- 
ache, nausea,  and  difficulty  of  breathing,  and  vi- 
olent snow  storms  often  sweep  down  the  sides  of 
the  mountain,  which  put  his  life  in  peril. 

" From  this  point  the  road  descends  rapidly 
over  the  naked  volcanic  cliffs.  The  mules, 
trained  to  these  perilous  paths,  draw  their  legs 
together,  and  slide  down  the  slippery  steeps  with 
startling  velocity,  and  follow  the  windings  with 
wonderful  dexterity.” 

" This  is  a frightful  way  of  traveling,”  said 
Laura. 

" Yes,  my  dear,  but  it  is  the  only  way  of 
reaching  Quito.  You  must  not  forget  that  this 
is  the  great  road  which  has  been  traveled  by  the 
Spaniards  more  than  three  centuries,  and  while 
the  government  remains  so  unsettled,  and  the  peo- 


100 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


pie  so  idle  and  ignorant,  it  will  never  be  im- 
proved. As  we  descend,  the  aspect  gradually 
changes.  We  find  beautiful  valleys  which  enjoy 
a perpetual  spring,  nestling  among  the  hills. 
They  look  like  the  garden  of  Eden,  at  a distance. 
An  intelligent  and  industrious  people  would 
make  happy  homes  in  them,  but,  like  every  part 
of  the  republic,  they  are  full  of  poverty  and 
wretchedness. 

" Again  our  path  ascends,  and,  skirting  the 
foot  of  Cotopaxi,  winds,  for  weary  miles,  through 
vast  deposits  of  volcanic  matter.  This  highest 
and  most  terrible  volcano  on  the  earth  stands 
threateningly  near,  and  its  muttering  thunder  re- 
minds us  that  the  awful  fire  is  still  burning  in  its 
bosom.  Abreast  of  Cotopaxi  the  road  crosses  the 
great  water  - shed  of  the  continent,  at  a hight  of 
nearly  twelve  thousand  feet. 

" Descending,  we  soon  reach  a point  where 
the  most  magnificent  prospect  opens  before  us, 
and  we  forget  the  toil  and  dangers  of  the  journey 


Climate  and  Productions . 


101 


in  the  delight  of  the  moment.  Far  away  to  the 
south  stretch  the  two  Cordilleras  till  they  are 
lost  in  mist.  Turning  to  the  north,  the  city  of 
Quito  lies  at  our  feet,  — 'the  city  above  the 
clouds.’  The  green  valley,  with  the  city  ‘like  a 
jewel  on  its  bosom,  the  grand  old  mountains 
encircling  it  like  a mighty  wall,  is  a glorious 
sight,  never  forgotten  by  those  who  have  looked 
on  it.” 


NINTH  EVENING. 

VISIT  TO  QUITO. 

ERE  we  are  in  Quito,”  said  Henry, 

f 

and  I am  in  a hurry  to  see  how  it 
oks.” 

This  city,”  replied  Mrs.  White, 
" is  peculiar  in  its  situation.  It  is  nearer  the 
equator,  and  can  show  a more  genial  climate  and 
more  magnificent  views  than  any  other  on  earth. 
It  lies  nine  thousand  and  five  hundred  feet  above 
the  sea,  which  is  two  thousand  feet  higher  than 
the  highest  habitable  spot  in  Europe. 

" To  the  traveler,  emerging  from  the  mount- 
ains, weary  with  forests  and  rocks,  bridgeless 
rivers,  frightful  precipices  and  barren  wastes,  it 


Visit  to  Quito. 


103 


looks  like  a fairy  city  lying  in  the  lap  of  the 
Andes ; but  as  he  approaches  and  examines  its  de- 
tails, it  appears  to  be  a shabby  and  thriftless 
place,  like  all  the  cities  of  Spanish  America. 

" The  finest  structures  surround  the  great  square 
in  the  center  of  the  city.  Here  are  the  public 
buildings,  some  of  which  are  three  hundred  years 
old.  They  are  quite  massive  and  imposing,  but 
sadly  out  of  repair.  And  here  is  the  great 
Cathedral,  and  the  church  of  San  Francisco,  which 
was  built  by  the.  treasures  of  Atahuallpa.  The 
interior  of  this  church  fairly  blazes  with  gilding, 
and  reminds  us  of  the  splendor  of  the  ancient 
Peruvian  temples.” 

" I wonder  if  the  poor  Indians  remember  whose 
gold  built  this  church,”  said  Laura. 

w They  are  silent,  and  appear  very  stupid  and 
indifferent,  but  it  is  said  they  cherish,  with  sacred 
care,  every  relic  of  their  former  national  glory, 
and  that  they  secretly  hope  for  its  return.  The 
mountaineers  wear  a small  black  poncho  next 


104  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

their  persons  in  mourning  for  the  Inca.  There 
is  something  which  touches  our  hearts  in  this 
silent  mourning  for  departed  greatness,  and  this 
forlorn  hope  for  better  days. 

"Beyond  the  public  buildings,  the  homes  of 
the  Spanish  aidstocracy  are  clustered  around  the 
great  square.  Their  houses  are  built  of  adobe, 
two  stories  high.  The  first  floor  is  occupied  by 
the  Indian  servants.  They  are  lazy,  thievish  and 
dirty,  but  they  do  all  the  work  that  is  done.  You 
may  sometimes  see  a dozen  of  them,  with  as 
many  naked,  filthy  children,  in  one  house.  The 
second  floor  is  occupied  by  the  master  and  mis- 
tress of  this  gang,  who,  however  poor  they  may 
be,  are  too  proud  for  any  labor. 

"The  habitations  of  the  Indians,  which  encircle 
this  city,  are  miserable  mud  huts,  filthy  within  and 
without.” 

" O mamma,”  exclaimed  Laura,  " is  this  ever- 
green Quito?  I am  afraid,  after  all  our  trouble 
to  get  here,  we  shall  be  in  a hurry  to  get  away.” 


Visit  to  Quito.  Page  105. 


Visit  to  Quito , 


105 


"This  Is  the  architectural  aspect.  There  are 
many  other  things  to  observe*  but  I think  you  will 
find  nothing  except  the  beauties  and  wonders  of 
nature  to  tempt  you  to  remain  long. 

" As  we  walk  through  the  streets,  everything  is 
so  different  ’ from  the  cities  of;  the  north,  that  we 
wonder  if  we  have  not  been  transported  to  Asia 
or  Africa.  Here  , are  groups  of  men  in  gay  pon- 
chos, not  hurrying  to  and  fro , intent  on  business 
or  pleasure,  but  lounging  in  front  of  the  shops, 
or  leaning  listlessly  against  the  walls,  and  Indians 
creeping  along  with  heavy  water -jars  or  big 
baskets  on  their  backs,  or  sitting  by  heaps  of  veg- 
etables which*  they  have  brought  from  the  mount- 
ains for  sale.  Here  are  files  of  bare  - footed 
soldiers,  strange  - looking  mei^  with  an  uncertain 
mixture  of  Spanish,  Indian  and  Negro  blood  in 
their  veins,  and  long  processions  of  monks  in 
white  robes  which  reach  to  their  feet,  and  priests 
in  similar  garments  of  black,  all  wearing  enor- 
mous hats  turned  up  in  a comical  way  at  the  sides. 


106  Evenings  with  the  Children* 

Occasionally  we  meet  a Spanish  gentleman,  one 
who  boasts  his  descent  from  the  conquerors.  He 
disdains  the  poncho,  and  wears  the  classic  cloak 
of  old  Spain  ; hence  the  citizens  are  divided  into 
men  with  ponchos  and  gentlemen  with  cloaks. 
The  ladies  are  not  troubled  about  the  fashion  of 
hats  or  bonnets.  They  . have  gone  a step  beyond 
us,  and  discard  them  altogether.” 

"Do  they  wear  mantillas  over  their  heads,  like 
the  ladies  of  Guayaquil?  ” said  Laura. 

" Yes,  my  dear,  they  call  it  a paneulon,  and  it 
seems  the  most  indispensable  article  of  female 
dress. 

" There  is  one  thing  hei*e  which  never  fails  to 
please  the  stranger,  and  which  goes  far  to  cover 
a multitude  of  sin^.  And  that  is  the  universal 
politeness.  We  observe  it  in  every  class,  from 
the  proud  aristocrat  down  to  the  ragged  beggar 
who  stretches  out  his  leprous  hand  to  us  for  char- 
ity in  the  street.  There  is  none  of  the  rudeness 
and  insolence  which  many  people  consider  as 


Visit  to  Quito. 


107 


proofs  of  equality  and  independence.  And 
though  there  is  very  little  mutual  confidence  or 
real  friendship,  they  contrive,  by  their  profuse 
compliments  and  promises,  to  soothe  all  passions 
and  to  prevent  quarrels.” 

" But  is  it  a good  thing,”  said  Henry,  " to  con- 
ceal  enmity  and  distrust  with  all  this  politeness  ? ” 

" Politeness  is  always  good,  and  enmity  and  dis- 
trust are  evil  under  all  conditions,  but  whether 
they  are  worse,  concealed  under  a mask  of  civil- 
ity, "or  openly  revealed  in  all  their  ugliness,  is  a 
question  we  have  not  time  to  discuss ; however, 
amid  the  ignorance,  superstition  and  idleness  of 
the  Quitonians,  we  are  glad  to  acknowledge  ' 
any  merit  which  they  possess.” 

" I always  thought,”  said  Laura,  " that  people 
who  live  among  the  mountains  were  bold  and 
manly ; that  there  was  something  like  their  own 
hills  in  them.” 

"I  think  that  is  generally  true,”  said  the 
mother,  smiling,  " and  perhaps  the  character  of 


108  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

the  people  of  Quito  is  as  peculiar  as  its  situation. 
We  should  suppose  that  men  surrounded  by 
everything  so  truly  beautiful,  so  sublimely  grand 
in  nature,  would  have  some  corresponding  virtues  ; 
but  here,  in  the. very  midst  of  the  mighty  mount- 
ains, which  are  the  symbols  of  the  strength  and 
righteousness  of  God,  we  find  a weak  and  igno- 
rant people,  and  one  of  the  most  corrupt  and  un- 
stable governments  on  the  earth.  It  is  painful  to 
look  on  their  poverty  in  the  midst  of  such  bound- 
less natural  wealth,  to  see  their  miserable  mud 
houses,  their  abominable  roads  and  neglected 
fields,  and  to  remember  their  advantages  for 
* beauty  and  comfort.” 

" But  what  makes  them  contented  to  live  so  ? ” 
said  Henry.  " Why  do  they  not  go  to  work  and 
improve  their  condition  ? ” 

" A high  civilization  is  the  result  of  many  in- 
fluences, the  effect  of  many  causes,  some  of 
which  lie  deep  in  our  natures,  or  far  back  in  the 
ages  which  have  passed  ; but  the  most  potent  and 


Visit  to  Quito . 


109 


indispensable  force  is  a pure  Christianity,  and 
that  is  what  this  people  have  lacked.  The 
Roman  Catholic  church,  established  here  by  the 
conquerors,  has  had  for  three  centuries  complete 
control  oyer  them,  and  we  see  what  they  have  be- 
come under  its  influence.  One  - fourth  part  of 
Quito  is  covered  with  churches  and  convents. 
The  priests  and  monks,  who  are  notoriously  idle, 
ignorant  and  immoral,  swarm  like  locusts.  The 
time  is  consumed  in  shows  and  processions,  which 
amuse  the  idle  and  ignorant  populace,  but  noth- 
ing is  done  to  make  them  wiser  or  better.  As  in 
all  Catholic  countries,  the  Bible  is  kept  from  the 
people,  and,  instead  of  it,  they  are  taught  legends 
of  the  saints,  Latin  prayers  which  they  do  not 
understand,  and  a blind,  bigoted  faith  in  the 
church . 

"You  ask  why  they  are  contented  in  their  pov- 
erty and  ignorance.  I think  the  great  cause  is, 
they  lack  the  stimulus  which  the  ' truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus’  supplies  to  society.  We  find  a similar 


110  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

condition  in  all  Catholic  countries,  -and  the  pov- 
erty and  degradation  are  in  proportion  as  this 
corrupt  religion  Has  more  or  less  control.  Let  us 
be  thankful  for  the  Bible,  and  remember  that  we 
are  not  only  indebted  to  it  for  spiritual  light  and 
immortal  joys,  but  that  it  lies  at  the  foundation 
of  our  political ‘Strength  and  social  happiness. 

" Let  us  turn  now  from  society,  where  we  find 
so  much  to  condemn  and  deplore,  and  observe 
the  wonderful  beauty  and  exhaustless  wealth 
which  God  has  bestowed  on  this  mountain  region. 
The  climate  is  perfect.  Here  they  never  faint 
under  the  summer  sun  nor  shiver  in  the  winter 
blasts.  Frost  is  unknown,  and  fires  are  never 
made  for  warmth.” 

" Ah,”  said  Laura,  " how  delightful  that  must 
be,  never  to  fear  a frost ! ” 

"But  there  is  no  skating,”  said  Henry,  " and 
no  coasting,  though  there  are  ever  so  many  hills. 
I do  n’t  think  I should  like  it.” 

" There  are  nine  snowy  peaks  within  sight,”  re- 


Visit  to  Quito. 


Ill 


plied  the  mother,  laughing,  "but  I can  not  promise 
that  they  afford  fine  coasting.  The  atmosphere 
is  of  transparent  clearness,  and  objects  are  seen 
at  an  amazing  distance.  The  stars  stand  out  and 
shine  with  a peculiar  light.  The  diseases  com- 
mon in  hot  regions  are  unknown.  If  there  is  a 
spot  on  the  earth  where  men  ought  to  live  without 
sickness,  it  is  here,  for  it  seems  as  if  the  diseases 
from  which  they  suffer  may  all  be  traced  to  their 
bad  diet  and  filthy  habits  ; and  it  is  said  that,  even 
with  these,  the  doctors  find  it  hard  to  live. 

" This  little  state  of  Equador  presents  every 
grade  of  climate;  so,  also,  it  is  capable  of  every 
variety  of  vegetable  production.  Professor  Orton 
says  : ' As  the  Equadorian  sees  all  the  constella- 
tions of  the  firmament,  so  nature  surrounds  him 
with  representatives  of  every  family  of  plants. 
There  are  places  where  the  eye  may  look  up  to 
a barley -field  and  potato  patch,  and  down  to 
the  sugar  - cane  and  pine  - apple.’ 99 


TENTH  EVENING. 

WONDERFUL  MOUNTAINS. 


"You  may  well  say  the  wonderful  mountains, 
for  no  where  else  on  the  earth  is  there  such  a 
display  of  terrific  grandeur.  ' Twenty  volcanoes, 
presided  over  by  the  princely  Chimborazo  and 
Cotopaxi,  rise  out  of  a sublime  congregation  of 
mountains  surrounding  the  famous  valley  of 
Quito/  Twenty-two  summits  wear  their  crowns 
of  perpetual  snow  under  the  vertical  sun.” 

" But  why  does  not  somebody  ascend  these 


AMMA,”  said  Henry,  "please 
let  us  learn  something  more  about 
these  wonderful  mountains  which  in- 
close this  beautiful  valley  of  Quito.” 


Wonderful  Mountains . 


113 


mountains,  and  tell  us  more  particularly  about 
them?”  said  Laura.  "A  great  many  people 
climb  the  Alps  and  write  about  the  glaciers,  and 
avalanches,  and  Alpine  torrents,  till  I feel  as  if  I 
had  seen  them.” 

"As  I told  you,  my  dear,  the  highest  of  these 
mountains  are,  no  doubt,  inaccessible.  The  great 
Humboldt  made  the  attempt  to  ascend  Chimbo- 
razo sixty-eight  years  ago,  but  he  gave  up  in  de-* 
spair  four  thousand  feet  below  the  summit.  The 
intrepid  Bolivar,  who  gave  his  name  to  the  state 
of  Bolivia,  went  somewhat  higher,  but  he,  too 
returned  a defeated  man.  A few  years  ago  a 
Frenchman  named  Boussingault,  after  prodigious 
labor,  reached  the  elevation  of  nineteen  thousand 
six  hundred  feet, — -the  highest  point  ever  trodden 
by  the  foot  of  man,— but  the  dome,  in  its  inap- 
proachable glory,  still  lay  nearly  two  thousand 
feet  above  him.” 

" Are  there  glaciers  and  avalanches  here,  as  in 
the  Alps?  ” asked  Henry. 


114 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


" Neither  are  found  here.  Humboldt  ascribes 
their,  absence  to  the  steepness  of  the  mountains, 
and  to  the  dryness  of  the  air.  The  great  Chirn- 
purazu,  or  the  snowy  mountain,  as  the  word 
means,  ' sits  motionless,  in  calm  serenity  and 
unbroken  silence,  — a silence  which  is  absolute 
and  actually  oppressive ; but  there  was  a time 
when  that  cold  silvery  dome  gleamed  with  vol- 
‘canic  fires,  and  the  mountain,  now  so  still, 
rocked  and  reeled  in  the  awful  convulsions  which 
plowed  its  sides  with  furrows  and  rent  them  with 
chasms  so  dark  and  deep  that  they  seem  to  lead 
to  the  confines  of  the  lower  world.’  This  is  the 
monarch  leading  a long  train  of  ambitious  peaks 
in  the  western  Cordillera.  Next  to  him,  and 
separated  only  by  a deep  and  narrow  valley,  is 
Caraguairaza,  which  the  Indians  call  the  wife  of 
Chimborazo.  A hundred  and  seventy  years  ago, 
the  top  of  this  mountain  fell  in,  and  torrents  of 
mud  and  water,  containing  multitudes  of  fishes, 
flowed  out. 


Wonderful  Mountains . 115 

"We  have  not  time  to  notice  all  these  mount- 
ains, but  we  will  give  a little  attention  to  Pichin- 
cha,  whose  smoking  crater  is  within  six  miles 
of  the  city  of  Quito.  This  mountain  is  consid- 
ered a little  one  among  the  Andes,  and  its  sum- 
mit not  difficult,  of  access,  though  it  is  nearly  a 
thousand  feet  higher  than  Mont  Blanc.  Some 
French  scholars  ascended  it  in  1742,  and,  sixty 
years  later,  Humbolt  stood  on  the  rim  of  the 
great  crater,  and  pronounced  the  bottom  inac- 
cessible from  its  great  depth  and  precipitous 
descent.  This  is  the  deepest  crater  on  the* 
globe,  — at  least,  it  is  the  deepest  which  has 
been  seen  by  human  eyes. 

" The  traveler  who  visits  this  mountain  secures 
an  Indian  guide  and  a horse  or  mule  that  has 
been  trained  to  the  perilous  mountain  paths.  He 
passes  through  a dense  forest  that  belts  the  vol- 
cano up  to  the  hight  of  12,000  feet,  emerging 
gradually  into  a thicket  of  stunted  bushes,  and 
then  entering  the  dreary  region  covered  only  with 


116  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

a stiff,  wiry  grass.  Toiling  upwards,  he  reaches 
the  base  of  the  cone,  where  vegetation  ceases, 
and  the  path  becomes  so  steep  that  he  must  leave 
his  mule  and  try  it  with  hands  and  feet.  The 
cone  is  covered  with  cinders  and  sand,  which 
slip  beneath  the  feet.  As  he  creeps  upward,  he 
finds  snow  in  the  clefts  of  the  rocks,  and  here 
and  there  a delicate  flower  rises  out  of  the  vol- 
canic dust.  The  work  is  hard,  requiring  strength 
of  purpose  and  strength  of  muscle,  but  when  it 
is  accomplished,  and  he  stands  on  the  summit, 
toil  and  dangers  are  forgotten.  As  he  gazes 
around  him,  he  learns  the  full  meaning  of  the 
words,  ' sublimely  awful.’  To  the  east  are  the 
snowy  peaks  of  the  eastern  Cordillera,  which 
look  'like  icebergs  floating  in  a sea  of  clouds,’ 
and  Cotopaxi,  from  its  smoking  cone,  sends  him 
a salute  like  the  peal  of  a thousand  cannon.  To 
the  west,  the  parallel  ridges  of  the  mountain 
chains  drop  one  behind  the  other  like  gigantic 
stairs,  and  are  lost  in  a white  sea  of  cloud  that 


W onderful  Mountains . 117 

covers  the  coast ; and  at  his  feet  he  beholds  a 
frightful  opening  in  the  earth,  nearly  a mile  wide 
and  a half  mile  deep,  out  of  which  rolls  a cloud 
of  sulphurous  smoke.” 

"You  remember,  mamma,”  said  Laura,  "that 
we  read  Richardson’s  description  of  the  Yo  Sem- 
ite valley.  I thought  then  that  that  was  the 
most  wonderful  place  in  the  world.  He  said  he 
was  perfectly  overwhelmed  wheh  he  looked  down 
into  the  great  gulf,  but  it  seems  to  me  that  it  is 
nothing  to  this.” 

" That  wonderful  valley  must  awake  very 
different  emotions  from  this  place.  It  is  as  deep 
as  this  crater,  but  the  eye  looks  down  on  a scene 
of  quiet  beauty,  enclosed  by  those  gigantic  walls. 
Here  everything  is  awful  as  well  as  grand.  The 
black,  rugged  rocks  which  surround  the  great 
basin,  seem  like  a fitting  wall  to  the  infernal  re- 
gion. No  sign  of  animal  or  vegetable  life  exists 
here.  Not  an  insect  moves  his  wing,  not  a lichen 
clings  to  the  scathed  and  beetling  crags.  The 


118  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

silence  is  broken  alone  by  the  low  muttering  of 
the  smoldering  fires,  and  the  hissing  and  bub- 
bling of  boiling  water  in  the  great  caldron  be- 
neath, or  the  awful  thunderings  of  the  neighbor- 
ing volcanoes.  The  snowy  peaks,  miles  above 
the  clouds,  which  surround  the  spot  like  sleepless 
sentinels,  add  to  the  solemn  magnificence  and 
help  to  produce  the  most  profound  impressions. 

" I told  you  that  Humboldt  pronounced  the 
bottom  of  the  crater  inaccessible,  but  several 
persons  have  proved  that  he  was  mistaken.” 

” Has  any  one  ever  really  been  down  into  this 
crater?  ” said  Henry.  " I thought  the  bottom  of 
a crater  was  full  of  fire,  hot  lava,  and  smoking 
sulphur.  How  can  any  person  live  there  ? ” 

" Your  ideas  of  a crater  are  not  quite  correct. 
They  differ  greatly  in  different  mountains,  and 
you  must  not  imagine  that  the  description  of  this 
one  will  apply  exactly  to  any  other.  This  is  a 
monstrous  funnel-shaped  basin.  The  traveler 
enters  it  on  the  southern  side,  which  is  the  least 


Wonderful  Mountains . 


119 


precipitous,  and,  amid  rolling  stones  and  treach- 
erous sands,  in  imminent  peril  of  life  and  limbs, 
he  slides  and  tumbles  downward.  When  he  has 
reached  the  bottom,  he  finds  a deeply  - furrowed 
plain  strewn  with  rugged  rocks*  containing  a few 
patches  of  vegetation  and  half  a dozen  species  of 
flowers.  In  the  center  is  an  irregular  heap  of 
stones,  two  hundred  and  sixty  feet  high  by  eight 
hundred  in  diameter.  This  is  the  cone  of  erup- 
tion, its  sides  and  summit  covered  with  an  impos- 
ing group  of  vents  seventy  in  number,  all  lined 
with  sulphur  and  exhaling  steam,  black  smoke, 
and  sulphurous  gas. 

" This  is  the  description  Prof.  Orton  gave  of 
it  three  years  ago.  At  that  time,  the  volcano  was 
in  a state  of  rest.  Two  centuries  had  elapsed 
since  the  last  eruption,  which  covered  Quito  three 
feet  deep  with. ashes  and  stones,  and  furrowed  the 
mountain  side  with  torrents  of  bitumen  and  boil- 
ing water.  Since  the  great  earthquake,  two 
years  ago,  Pichincha  has  shown  signs  of  activity, 


120  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

sending  forth  dense  clouds  of  black  smoke,  and 
so  much  sand  that  one  can  not  reach  the  crater.” 
" O mamma,”  said  Laura,  " what  has  become 
of  the  poor  little  flowers,  then?  ” 

" They  have  no  doubt  perished  with  every 
other  living  thing,  leaving  the  horrid  pit  utterly 
desolate.  It  seemed  strange  to  find  such  sweet 
and  beautiful  things  in  such  a place.” 

• ” They  certainly  were 

‘ born  to  blusli  unseen, 

And  waste  their  sweetness  on  the  sulphurous  air,’  ” 
said  Henry.  "But  after  all,  mamma,  I -think  I 
shall  not  settle  among  the  Andes.  The  mount- 
ains are  very  grand,  the  climate  delightful,  and 
the’  fruits  delicious  ; yet  it  can  not  be  pleasant  to 
live  in  fear  of  being  swallowed  up  by  an  earth- 
quake or  buried  by  a volcano.” 

" Henry  is  growing  sensible,”  said  Laura  ; " I 
supposed  he  would  want  to  know  just  how  an 
earthquake  would  feel.” 

"Henry  is  generally  sensible,”  said  the  mother, 
laughing.  " Perhaps  he  would  like  to  know  how 


Wonderful  Mountains . 


121 


a snow  - capped  mountain  looks  just  on  the 
equator.  There  is  but  one  such  spot  on  the 
earth,  and  that  is  the  mountain  Cayambi,  nine- 
teen thousand  five  hundred  feet  high.  It  stands 
in  full  view  from  Quito,  gloriously  magnificent 
when  illuminated  by  the  sun,  and  looking  like 
' a gigantic  ghost  in  sepulchral  sheets  ’ when  the 
twilight  comes  on.  Thirty  miles  north  of  Quito 
is  the  province  of  Imbabura,  which  was  made 
desolate  by  the  earthquake  of  1868.  On  the 
16th  of  August,  while  the  people  slept,  there 
was  one  tremendous  shock,  lasting  not  more 
than  a minute ; but  in  that  minute  ten  cities  and 
villages  were  laid  in  ruins,  and  fifty  thousand 
persons  perished.  Do  you  remember  that  we 
read  about  it  in  the  newspapers  ? ” 

" Oh,  yes,”  replied  Laura;  "but  I did  not 
think  much  about  it.  It  seemed  a great  way  off.” 
" I can  not  describe  other  mountains  which  sur- 
round Quito.  You  can  read  what  travelers  have 
written  about  them.” 


ELEVENTH  EVENING. 


ANIMALS  AND  BIRDS. 

Q NOT  let  us  forget  the  animals, 
mamma.  I think  there  ought  to  be 
some  wonderful  creatures  among  these 
mountains,”  said  Henry. 

” South  America  is  more  distinguished  for  vege- 
table  than  animal  life,  yet  it  is  not  without  inter- 
est in  this  respect,  as  it  has  some  animals  which 
are  unknown  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  the 
most  remarkable  of  which  are  the  llamas,  or 
American  camels.” 

" Oh,  yes,”  said  Laura,  " there  is  a picture  of 
a llama  in  our  geography.  I don’t  think  he 
looks  much  like  a camel.” 


Animals  and  Birds. 


123 


" That  is  very  true,  my  dear,”  said  the  mother, 
examining  the  picture  which  Laura  presented ; 
" but  there  are  some  points  of  resemblance,  which 
I can  not  stop  to  explain  to  you,  so  that  natural- 
ists class  them  together.  There  are  four  species 
of  these  animals,  the  llama  proper,  which  is  the 
most  common,  the  guanaco,  the  alpaca,  and  the 
vicugna.  These  were  called  the  four  sheep  of 
the  Incas.  The  llama  is  a domesticated  animal, 
and  was  the  only  beast  of  burden  known  to  the 
Peruvians  at  the  time  of  the  discovery.  Unlike 
the  camel,  it  is  a beautiful  creature,  with  long, 
slender  neck,  fine  legs,  a graceful  carriage,  soft, 
restless  eyes,  and . quivering  lips.  It  is  gentle 
and  grateful  for  tender  treatment,  but  shows 
anger  when  injured,  and  sheds  tears  when  in 
pain.  They  are  not  strong  and  swifi;  like  horses. 
A hundred  pounds  make  a load  for  one  of  them, 
and  they  are  not  able  to  travel  more  than  twelve 
or  fifteen  miles  in  a day.  Though  horses  and 
mules  have  taken  their  place  to  a great  degree, 


124  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

you  may  still  see  the  Indian  and  liis  llama  trudg- 
ing along  together.  He  shifts  the  burden  from 
his  own  broad  shoulders  to  the  back  of  his  faith- 
ful beast,  which  bears  it  as  long  as  it  is  able,  and 
then  the  master  takes  it  again ; so  they  help 
each  other  along.” 

" Please  tell  us  the  color  of  the  llamas,” 
said  Henry. 

” Sometimes  white,  but  generally  brown,  with 
patches  of  white.  The  guanaco,  or  wild  llama, 
is  a deep,  rich  fawn  color,  varying  to  white  on 
the  under  parts,  and  the  alpaca  is  various  shades 
of  maroon  brown,  the  breast  and  inside  of  the 
thighs  being  white.  The  vicugna  is  the  most 
beautiful  of  the  species.  It  is  smaller  and  more 
graceful  than  the  llamas,  and  the  wool  is  exceed- 
ingly fine  and  very  valuable.” 

” The  wool,  mamma  ? ” cried  Laura.  " Do 
these  annuals  have  wool  ? ” 

" Yes,  my  dear.  I told  you  they  were  some- 
times called  the  four  sheep  of  the  Incas.  At  the 


Animals  and  Birds. 


125 


time  of  the  conquest,  there  were  immense  num- 
bers in  the  country,  and  they  were  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  the  people.  The  fleece  of  the 
llama,  which  was  the  coarsest  and  most  abun- 
dant, clothed  the  multitude,  the  guanaco  and  al- 
paca served  the  nobles,  and  the  soft  and  beautiful 
vicugna  was  reserved  for  royal  use.  The  native 
fabrics  from  these  wools  were  highly  valued  by 
the  Spaniards ; but,  with  a thoughtless  improvi- 
dence, they  wantonly  destroyed  the  flocks  which 
had  been  so  carefully  preserved  by  the  Indians. 
Guanacos,  alpacas  and  vicugnas  are  still  found 
in  large  numbers  among  the  mountains,  where 
they  are  hunted  for  their  fleeces.” 

" How  do  they  catch  them?  ” said  Henry.  " I 
should  think  it  would  be  as  difficult  as  hunting 
chamois  among  the  Alps.” 

" A large  number  of  Indians  assemble  together 
when  they  are  going  to  hunt  the  wild  llamas  or 
vicugnas.  They  make  strong  ropes  of  the  vines 
which  grow  so  plentifully  in  this  country,  with 


126 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


which  they  inclose  two  sides  of  a triangle.  Then 
they  separate,  and,  inclosing  a flock,  drive  them 
into  the  open  side  of  the  triangle,  and  frighten 
them  along  till  they  are  huddled  together  in  the 
apex,  where  the  poor  creatures  are  slaughtered 
without  mercy.  Sometimes  they  stop  the  small 
part  of  a mountain  gorge,  into  which  they  drive 
them.” 

” The  Africans  catch  elephants  in  a way  much 
like  that,”  said  Henry ; " but  are  there  no  savage 
wild  beasts  ? nothing  to  hunt  but  these  innocent, 
timid  llamas  ? ” 

"Oh,  yes,  there  are  pumas  and  tiger  - cats 
among,  the  mountains,  but  they  are  not  numerous 
like  the  wild  beasts  of  Africa,  and  one  may  travel 
days  without  seeing  a dangerous  animal.  The 
jaguar,  which  I told  you  was  found  in  Central 
America,  is  not  uncommon  east  of  the  Andes, 
but  I believe  it  is  never  found  here.  The  tapir 
is  the  largest  native  quadruped.  This  animal  be- 
longs to  the  same  order  as  the  elephant.  Pie  is 


Animals  and  Birds. 


127 


from  five  to  six  feet  in  bight,  with  a thick,  dark 
colored  skin.  Though  he  is  a powerful  and 
strange  looking  beast,  yet,  if  he  is  not  disurbed, 
he  is  quite  harmless.  He  is  sometimes  tamed,  and 
becomes  as  completely  domesticated,  and  as  much 
at  home  among  men,  as  a dog.” 

" What  a nice  pet ! ” said  Laura. 

" Rather  an  awkward  pet,  my  dear,  but  many 
persons  believe  he  might  be  made  very  valuable 
as  a beast  of  burden.  His  docility  and  great 
strength  are  strong  recommendations  for  such  serv- 
ice. You  know  that  in  Asia  the  elephant  is 
taught  to  work.” 

"Yes,”  said  Henry,  "and  if  the  Indians  would 
employ  the  tapir  instead  of  the  llama,  they  them- 
selves might  ride  instead  of  helping  to  carry 
their  little  loads.” 

" The  peccari,  which  belongs  to  the  hog  tribe, 
is  perhaps  the  most  pugnacious  and  dangerous 
animal.  They  are  generally  found  in  herds. 
They  seem  entirely  insensible  to  fear,  and  fight 


128  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

with  terrible  ferocity  when  they  are  attacked. 
There  are  many  other  small  animals  which  we 
have  not  time  to  notice  ; but,  as  I told  you,  the 
wild  beasts  of  South  America,  especially  west  of 
the  Andes,  are  not,  like  those  of  Africa,  either 
numerous  or  savage.” 

" But  the  birds,  mamma,”  said  Laura ; " I 
hope  ther£  are  plenty  of  birds.” 

" Yes,  my  dear,  there  are  plenty  of  birds,  but 
here  among  the  mountains  there  are  none  which 
you  will  particularly  notice  except  the  humming 
birds  and  the  condor,  and  they  are  the  two  ex- 
tremes, the  smallest  and  the  largest  of  birds. 
The  condor  appears  in  its  glory  among  the  mount- 
ains. The  usual  spread  of  its  wings  is  nine  feet. 
Though  it  is  a cowardly  robber,  with  a loathsome 
taste  for  putrescence  and  death,  yet,  when  it  is 
seen  soaring  above  the  summit  of  Chimborazo, 
or  poising  with  unwearied  wings  over  the  fiery 
cone  of  Cotopaxi,  gazing  with  fearless  eyes  into 
the  awful  gulf  which  mortal  vision  may  never  see, 


Animals  and  Birds. 


129 


we  call  it  a glorious  bird,  as  it  certainly  is. 

"tip  to  the  line  where  vegetation  ceases,  .the 
beautiful  humming  birds  are  seen  side  by  side 
with  the  condor,  and  the  warm,  sunny  valleys 
fairly  swarm  with  them.  Like  the  flowers  on 
which  they  feed,  their  presence  is  a perpetual  de- 
light. East  of  the  mountains,  in  the  great  val- 
ley of  the  Amazon,  the  feathered  race  appears 
in  robes  of  richest  colors.  I will  not  tell  you 
about  them  now,  but  confine  your  attention  to 
the  mountains  and  highlands. 

It  is  one  of  the  blessings  of  these  high  regions 
that  they  are  free  from  the  reptiles  which  infest 
low  tropical  countries.  Alligators  are  unknown, 
and  snakes,  frogs  and  lizards  are  rarely  seen. 
Of  fishes,  there  is  but  one  solitary  species,  and  that 
a little  thing  about  as  long  as  one’s  finger.  Mos- 
quitoes,  bed  - bugs  and  the  myriad  kinds  of  flies 
which  render  life  a torture  on  the  coast,  do  not 
seem  to  enjoy  the  mountain  air.  Fleas  and  lice, 
however,  are  plenty  among  the  filthy  Indians. 


130  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

" In  the  southern  part  of  the  valley  of  Quito 
there  are  large  plantations  of  cactus,  on  which  the 
cochineal  insects  are  raised  for  market.” 

"I  remember,”  said  Laura,  "you  told  us 
about  the  cactus  plantations  and  the  cochineal  in- 
sects in  Central  America.” 

" Silk  worms  have  been  introduced  into  the 
country  within  a few  years.  The  soil  and  climate 
seem  so  well  adapted  to  their  production,  that,  if 
the  people  are  not  too  indolent,  silk  culture  will 
soon  become  a source  of  wealth  to  Equador.” 
" Here  is  a great  region  east  of  the  mountains,” 
said  Henry,  examining  his  map.  " Who  live 
here,  and  what  kind  of  animals  and  fruits  and 
flowers  are  there  in  all  this  wide  land  ? ” 

" In  our  next  talk  I will  tell  you  about  the  dis- 
covery of  the  Amazon,  and  the  perilous  adven- 
tures of  early  travelers  in  this  region.” 


TWELFTH  EVENING. 


EL  DORADO. 

5 PROMISED  to  tell  you  something 
about  the  discovery  of  the  Amazon  this 
evening,”  said  Mrs.  White,  as’  the 
children  laid  their  books  aside  and 
drew  their  chairs  near  her. 

" Yes,  mamma,”  said  Henry,  "and  we  are 
quite  impatient  to  hear  about  it.” 

" I hope  you  remember  what  I have  told  you 
of  the  discovery  and  conquest  of  the  Peruvian 
empire,”  said  the  mother. 

" Oh,  yes,”  said  Laura,”  I shall  not  forget 
the  cruel  and  treacherous  Pizarro,  nor  the  unfor- 
tunate Atahuallpa.” 


V 

132  Evenings  icith  the  Children . 

" The  discovery  of  the  Amazon  is  connected 
with  the  conquest  of  Peru.  You  remember  that 
Quito  was  included  in  the  empire  of  the  Inca. 
After  the  conquerors  had  overrun  the  southern 
part,  they  hastened  to  take  possession  of  this 
also.  In  the  year  1540,  seven  years  after  the 
death  of  Atahuallpa,  Gonzalo  Pizarro,  a brother 
of  Francisco  Pizarro,  was  appointed  a governor 
of  Quito  with  authority  to  make  conquests  or 
discoveries  towards  the  east.  The  avarice  of  the 
Spaniards,  far  from  being  satisfied  with  the  im- 
mense treasures  they  had  acquired  in  Peru,  was 
only  inflamed  by  them.  The  word  of  God  as- 
sures us  that  ' he  who  loveth  silver  shall  not  be 
satisfied  with  silver,  nor  he  that  loveth  abun- 
dance, with  increase ; ? and  we  see  a confirmation 
of  this  truth  in  the  history  of  these  adventurers. 
Unsatisfied  and  restless,  they  dreamed  of  other 
conquests  and  richer  spoils,  and  the  Indians 
knew  how  to  excite  their  cupidity  and  ambition 
by  fabulous  stories  of  a land  of  gold, — an  El 


El  Dorado . 


133 


Dorado,  the  Spaniards  called  it,  — in  the  east. 
No  fiction  concerning  this  land  was  too  extrava- 
gant for  belief.  They  had  seen  the  silver  aque- 
ducts and  the  golden  fountains  of  Cuzco,  and 
they  had  some  excuse  for  their  credulity. 

" This  fabulous  kingdom,  shaped  out  of  the 
half  - comprehended  tales  of  the  Indians  and 
their  own  extravagant  fancies,  was  said  to  be 
governed  by  a king  who  wore  a more  costly 
attire  than  any  other  monarch  on  the  earth.  I 
think  you  will  laugh  when  I tell  you  how  they 
said  he  was  dressed.” 

" Oh,  do  tell  us,”  cried  Laura ; " was  it  more 
magnificent  than  the  robes  of  the  Inca  made  of 
the  fine  wool  of  the  vicugna,  and  adorned  with 
gold  and  emeralds  ? ” 

" It  was  quite  different,  my  dear,  — a daily 
coating  of  pure  gold  dust.  This  fabulous  king 
bathed  every  morning  in  the  perfumed  waters  of 
a golden  cistern,  then  his  body  was  covered  with 
a costly  and  fragrant  gum,  and  gold  dust  was 


134  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

showered  over  him  till  he  was  completely  coated.” 
"He  saved  the  tailor’s  bills,  didn’t  he,  mam- 
ma? ” said  Henry,  laughing. 

" I think  he  ought  to  save  in  something,”  said 
Laura.  " He  must  have  found  a new  suit  of 
gold  every  morning  quite  expensive.” 

" The  great  city  of  Manoa,  where  this  gilded 
king  was  supposed  to  reside,  was  represented  as 
wonderfully  magnificent.  The  columns  of  the 
royal  palace  were  of  alabaster,  the  throne  was  of 
ivory,  and  the  steps  leading  to  it  of  gold.  Indeed, 
there  was  no  end  to  the  silver,  the  gold  and  the 
precious  stones ; and,  besides  these,  the  land  was 
represented  rich  as  beyond  comparison  in  deli- 
cious fruits  and  precious  spices. 

" These  fables  had  long  captivated  the  imagi- 
nation of  Gonzalo  Pizarro,  and,  when  he  found 
himself  intrusted  with  the  government  of  Quito, 
he  resolved  to  explore  the  region  to  the  east, 
hoping,  by  the  greatness  of  his  discoveries  and 
conquests,  to  rival,  if  not  eclipse,  his  brother. 


El  Dorado . 


135 


He  found  among  his  followers  an  enthusiasm 
equal  to  his  own,  and  in  a short  time  he  mustered 
three  hundred  and  fifty  Spaniards,  one  hundred 
aud  fifty  of  whom  were  mounted,  and  four  thou- 
sand Indians.  All  were  equipped- .in  the  most 
complete  manner  for  the  great  undertaking.  He 
provided  against  famine  by  large  stores  of  provis- 
ions, and  an  immense  drove  of  swine  which 
followed  in  the  rear. 

" Moving  eastward  from  Quito,  they  were 
obliged  to  cross  the  eastern  cordillera  of  the 
Andes.  I think  we  have  but  a faint  and  imperfect 
idea  of  the  perils  of  travel  among  those  mighty 
mountains.  Many  of  the  adventurers  perished  in 
the  intricate  passes  or  found  a wintry  grave  on 
the  snowy  hights.  An  earthquake,  which  shook 
the  mountains  % and  rent  them  with  fearful  cavi- 
ties, added  to  their  perils,  and  warned  them  from 
their  undertaking,  but  Gonzalo  Fizarro  was  not 
a man  to  turn  back  when  glory  or  gold  beckoned 
him  on. 


136 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


"Escaping  from  the  mountains,  they  found  the 
fierce  cold  succeeded  by  suffocating  heat,  while 
tempests  of  thunder  and  lightning,  and  deluges 
of  rain  poured  on  their  unprotected  heads  day 
and  night. 

" Every  tribe  of  Indians  they  met  was  inter- 
rogated about  El  Dorado,  and  when  they  were 
unable  to  give  any  intelligence  of  it,  they,  were 
put  to  torture ; some  were  burned  alive,  and 
others  were  torn  to  pieces  by  blood  - hounds.” 

" What  cruel  people  ! ” exclaimed  Laura. 
" It  is  a pity  they  were  not  all  swallowed  up 
by  the  earthquake.” 

"The  effect  of  their  cruelty  returned  upon  their 
own  heads  with  terrible  vengeance.  As  tidings  of 
their  approach  spread  from  tribe  to  tribe,  the 
poor  natives  learned  to  flatter  their  hopes  and 
send  them  along.  Their  clothes,  kept  constantly 
wet,  rotted  and  fell  from  them.  They  were 
forced  to  wade  over  flooded  plains  and  marshes J 
and  to  cross  swift  and  dangerous  mountain 


El  Dorado . 


137 


streams  ; they  were  tortured  by  clouds  of  poison- 
ous insects ; still  they  pressed  on,  and  after  some 
months  they  reached  the  cinnamon  forests.” 

" Cinnamon  forests  ? ” cried  Henry.  " I thought 
that  cinnamon  grew  in  Ceylon.” 

" So  it  does,  and  the  cinnamon  we  use  comes 
from  that  island ; but  here  in  South  America  there 
are  great  forests  of  cinnamon  trees.  The  qual- 
ity, however,  is  considered  inferior,  and  it  has 
not  been  exported  to  any  great  extent.  The 
Spaniards  were  seeking  for  precious  spices,  you 
know.  They  found  this,  but  in  this  remote 
region  it  could  be  of  no  use  to  them. 

" The  Indians,  taught  to  deceive  by  their 
cruelty,  always  assured  them  the  land  of  gold 
and  of  plenty  was  just  before  them.  Sometimes 
they  \yere  forced  to  hew  open  a passage  with 
their  axes  through  the  thick  forests,  where  the 
trees  of  stupendous  growth  were  woven  together 
with  gigantic  vines.” 

'' * Did  they  find  any  trees  in  this  region , as 


138 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


large  as  the  great  trees  of  California  ? ” inquired 
Laura. 

" Yes,  dear,  if  we  may  believe  their  report, 
they  found  trees  so  large  that  sixteen  men  could 
hardly  encompass  them  with  their  extended  arms. 
As  they  pushed  their  way  onward,  their  condi- 
tion grew  worse  and  worse.  First  their  provis- 
ions failed.  The  hogs,  of  which  they  had  such  a 
great  drove,  had  been  consumed  or  made  their 
escape  in  the  woods  and  mountains,  and  the 
dogs  and  horses  had  been  killed  and  eaten ; and, 
when  these  were  gone,  they  had  only  such  fruits 
and  roots  as  they  could  gather  in  the  woods. 

" At  length  the  weary  adventurers  reached  the 
Napo,  which,  as  you  will  see  on  the  map,  flows 
from  the  north-west  into  the  Amazon ; but  the 
river  brought  them  no  relief.  No  living  thing 
was  found  on  its  borders  but  the  wild  tenants  of 
the  wilderness.  Huge  anacondas  floated  in  the 
water  or  coiled  among  the  trees ; loathsome 
alligators  swarmed  on  the  borders  of  the  stream, 


El  Dorado . 


139 


and  monkeys  screamed  and  grinned  above  their 
heads.  For  weeks  they  wandered  in  this  in- 
hospitable wilderness,  their  number  daily  de- ' 
creasing  from  famine  and  sickness. 

" Finally,  spent  with  toil  and  suffering,  Gon- 
zalo  resolved  to  construct  a bark  large  enough  to 
carry  the  sick  and  feeble.  It  was  a work  of 
great  difficulty,  and  cost  them  two  months’  labor ; 
but  its  completion  was  a triumph,  and  they  hoped 
to  find  it  of  great  service.  As  they  moved  down 
the  river,  they  fell  in  with  Indians,  who  assured 
them  that  th ft  stream  emptied  into  a still  larger 
one,  and  at  the  junction  there  was  a fruitful  coun- 
try abounding  in  provisions.” 

” Had  they  abandoned  the  idea  of  finding  the 
gilded  king,  and  his  wonderful  city  ? ” inquired 
Laura. 

" I think  at  this  time  they  were  more  anxious 
for  food  than  gold.  It  is  probable  that  they  were 
three  or  four  hundred  miles  from  the  point  where 
the  Napo  unites  with  the  Amazon.  Get  your 


140 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


map  and  fix  the  locality  as  near  as  you  can.” 
The  children  examined  their  map,  and,  apply- 
ing a scale  of  miles  to  the  river,  decided  where  the 
adventurers  must  have  been. 

" Remember  that  they  had  been  wandering 
amono’  the  mountains  and  through  the  trackless 
forests  of  this  region  eighteen  months,  that  one 
half  of  their  number  had  perished,  that  they  were 
now  in  a miserable  condition,  far  from  all  human 
aid.  Though  they  were  reckless  and  avaricious 
men,  following  a phantom  which  fled  before  them, 
we  ought  to  give  them  credit  for  conferring  on  the 
world  its  first  knowledge  of  this  land,  a knowl- 
edge which  they  gained  by  untold  suffering  and 
toil.  In  our  next  talk,  I will  tell  you  of  their 
further  adventures.” 


THIRTEENTH  EVENING. 


TREACHERY  OF  ORELLANA, 

!§V*E  want  to  know  what  became  of 
the  Spaniards/’  said  Laura.  " You 
remember,  mamma,  we  left  them  on 
the  river  Napo,  three  or  four  hun- 
dred miles  from  the  Amazon.” 

"Yes,  my  dear,”  replied  Mrs.  White;  "we 
left  them  in  a wretched  condition,  suffering  for 
food.  Flattered  by  the  stories  of  the  Indians, 
Pizarro  resolved  to  halt  where  he  was,  and  send 
one  of  his  officers,  named  Orellana,  in  his  brig- 
antine, to  the  confluence  of  the  rivers,  that  he 
might  procure,  in  that  land  of  plenty,  a load  of 


142  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

provisions,  which  would  put  them  in  a condition 
to  resume  their  march.  That  cavalier,  taking 
with  him  fifty  of  the  strongest  men,  pushed  off 
into  the  middle  of  the  river,  and  they  were  speed- 
ily borne  by  the  swift  current  beyond  the  sight  of 
their  comrades. 

" Weeks  passed  away,  and  the  vessel  on  which 
they  had  fixed  their  hopes  did  not  return.  You 
must  try  to  imagine  with  what ‘anxiety  these  fam- 
ishing people  watched  for  it,  as,  day  by  day,  they 
were  exhausting  the  scant  supplies  of  food  around 
them.  At  last,  unable  to  endure  the  suspense 
or  to  sustain  themselves  longer  in  their  present 
quarters,  they  determined  to  proceed  to  the  junc- 
tion of  the  rivers.  Two  months  were  consumed 
in  this  weary  and  dreadful  journey,  and  when 
they  had  reached  the  spot  so  long  desired,  and 
looked  on  the  mighty  river  bearing  the  tribute  of 
a thousand  streams  to  the  far-off  ocean,  they 
found  little  mitigation  of  their  woe.” 

"But  what  had  become  of  the  vessel,  and  of 


Treachery  of  Orellana . 143 

Orellana  and  his  men  ? Had  they  all  been 
drowned  ? ” inquired  Henry. 

"Oh,  no,  they  had  not  been  drowned  ; and  a 
few  days  after  they  reached  this  place,  Pizarro 
and  his  companions  learned  what  had  become  of 
them.  A party,  exploring  the  forest  for  food, 
discovered  a mail  whom,  though  naked  and  nearly 
starved,  they  recognized  as  one  of  their  com- 
rades who  sailed  with  Orellana.  He  told  them 
that,  borne  by  the  rapid  stream,  they  had  reached 
the  Amazon  in  three  days,  but,  instead  of  .finding 
food  to  load  their  vessel,  they  scarcely  found 
enough  for  their  own  wants.  Here  Orellana 
formed  the  extraordinary  resolution  which,  though 
it  has  given  his  name  a place  in  history,  has 
stained  it  indellibly  with  ingratitude  and  treach- 
ery. Instead  of  returning  to  his  unfortunate 
commander  and  perishing  companions,  he  de- 
termined to  launch  his  bark  on  the  bosom  of  the 
great  river,  and  descend  its  waters  to  its  mouth, 
thus  securing  to  himself  the  glory  of  whatever 


144  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

discoveries  might  be  made  in  that  direction.” 
" These  Spaniards  were  as  treacherous  to  each 
other  as  to  the  poor  Indians,  mamma,”  said 
Laura.  "It  is  said  that  there  is  honor  among 
thieves,  but  I am  sure  there  was  none  among 
them.  Why  was  this  man  left  in  the  woods?” 

" This  man,  whose  name  was  Sanchez  de  Var- 
gos,  had  objected  to  the  purpose  of  Orellana 
as  treacherous  and  cruel,  and  his  fidelity  had  been 
rewarded  by  being  set  on  shore  and  abandoned  in 
this  desolate  region.” 

"I  will  remember  his  name,”  said  Henry,  writ- 
ing it  in  a pass  - book.  " I like  him  better  than 
any  other  Spaniard  you  have  told  us  of.” 

" I am  glad  he  lived  to  tell  his  story,”  said 
Laura.  " But  did  Orellana  succeed  in  his  pur- 
pose, and  reach  the  mouth  of  the  Amazon?  ” ' 
"Yes,  my  dear ; but  it  was  through  such  perils 
and  sufferings  as  very  few  have  passed.  This 
adventurous  voyage  was  commenced  on  the  last 
day  of  Dec.,  1541.  For  many  days  they  floated 


Treachery  of  Orellana . 


145 


down  the  river,  whose  inhospitable  shores  of- 
fered them  no  relief.  Their  food  was  exhausted, 
and  they  boiled  their  shoes  and  their  leather 
girdles  in  hope  of  deriving  . nourishment  from 
them.  Just  as  hope  seemed  departing,  they  dis- 
covered an  Indian  village.  Impelled  by  the 
desperation  of  famine,  they  attacked  the  natives, 
and,  driving  them  into  the  forest,  took  possession 
of  their  stores  of  provisions. 

"This  was  only  the  beginning  of  their  troubles. 
They  were  seven  months  descending  the  river, 
and  constantly  in  peril  from  famine,  from  the 
hostile  Indians, — who  fell  upon  them  whenever 
they  attempted  to  land  and  sometimes  attacked 
them  from  their  canoes,— and  from  the  hidden 
rocks  and  furious  rapids  of  the  unknown  stream. 
It  was  in  the  month  of  June  that  they  said  they 
met  the  Amazons,  or  women  warriors,  from 
whom  the  river  is  named.” 

" But  did  they  really  meet  women  warriors  ? ” 
inquired  Laura. 


146  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

"They  said  they  did,  and  very  formidable  ene- 
mies they  represented  them  to  be.  It  is  gener- 
ally believed,  however,  that  they  invented  the 
story  to  excite  wonder  and  create  an  interest  in 
their  discoveries.  If  this  was  so,  it  is  a curious 
fact  that  the  memory  of  the  fable  is  perpetuated 
in  the  name  of  the  great  river,  while  the  discov- 
erer, who  sacrificed  his  honor  for  the  barren 
glory  of  first  navigating  its  waters,  is  almost  for- 
gotten. The  aboriginal  name,  Parana  Tinga, 
which  means  King  of  Waters,  was  certainly  very 
pretty  and  yery  appropriate,  but  it  is  said  to  be 
seldom  heard  now,  even  among  the  Indians. 

' O Amazonas’  is  the  universal  appellation  of  the 
great  river  among  those  who  float  on  its  waters 
and  those  who  dwell  on  its  banks.” 

"But  pray,  mamma,  what  became  of  Pizarro 
and  his  company  ? ” said  Henry.  " How  angry 
they  must  have  felt  that  Orellana  had  gone  off 
with  the  vessel  for  which  they  had  labored  so 
hard.” 


Treachery  of  Orellana . 


147 


" It  is  impossible  to  describe  their  rage  or  their 
despair,  as  they  saw  themselves  thus  deserted  in 
the  wilderness  and  deprived  of  their  only  means 
of  escape.  Then  it  was  that  the  qualities  of  Gron- 
zalo  Pizarro,  as  a fit  leader  in  the  time  of  ex- 
treme danger,  shone  out  conspicuously.  To  ad- 
vance further  was  hopeless.  To  remain  where 
they  were,  without  food,  raiment  or  shelter,  was 
impossible.  They  must  return  to  Quito  or  per- 
ish. But  how  could  they  meet  the  toils  and  suf- 
ferings of  that  terrible  journey  of  twelve  hundred 
miles  ? All  but  the  leader  were  ready  to  lie  down 
in  hopeless  despondency.  He  exhorted  them  to 
make  an  effort  for  their  lives,  and  by  his  own 
courage  and  cheerfulness  inspired  them  with  hope 
to  commence  their  homeward  march. 

" I will  not  attempt  to  tell  you  of  their  suffer- 
ings or  adventures.  After  something  more  than 
a year  consumed  in  the  homeward  journey,  the 
wretched  survivors  reached  the  elevated  plains, 
from  which  they  looked  down  on  the  city  of 


148  Evenings  ivith  the  Children . 

Quito.  But  how  different  their  aspect  from 
that  which  they  exhibited  two  years  and  a half 
before,  when,  with  high,  romantic  hopes,  they 
issued  from  its  gates  ! Of  the  three  hundred  and 
fifty  Spaniards  who  went  forth,  eighty  returned, 
and  they  were  more  like  skeletons  from  the 
charnel  house  than  like  living  men.  Their  faces 
were  burned  and  blackened  by  the  tropical  sun, 
and  their  bodies  were  wasted  by  famine  and  dis- 
ease, and  sorely  disfigured  by  scars.  Their  only 
clothing  was  the  skins  of  wild  beasts,  and  their 
hair  and  beard,  long  and  matted,  hung  wildly 
over  their  shoulders  and  breasts.  The  Spanish 
inhabitants  of  the  city  went  forth  to  meet  them, 
and  while  they  ministered  to  their  wants  they 
wept  at  the  sad  recital  of  their  woes.” 

Mrs.  White  paused,  and  Henry,  examining 
his  map,  remarked, — "This  expedition  was  more 
than  three  hundred  years  ago,  before  the  earliest 
settlement  in  this  northern  part  of  the  continent, 
and  yet  there  are  now  very  few  towns  or  cities  on 


Treachery  of  Orellana.  149 

the  great  river  or  in  the  great  valley  which  it 
drains.  ” 

" That  is  very  true,”  she  replied.  " This  great 
region  is  still  almost  unsettled  and  unknown. 
Nearly  a hundred  years  passed  after  thnt  expedi- 
tion before  the  continent  was  crossed  again,  and 
more  than  two  hundred  before  a map  of  the  river 
was  constructed  or  any  reliable  information  ob- 
tained.” 

"I  do  not  wonder,”  said  Laura,  " after  what 
Pizarro  and  his  men  had  suffered,  that  no  one 
wished  to  go  in  search  of  the  gilded  king,  or  to 
waste  his  life  in  this  terrible  wilderness  for  the 
sake  of  exploring  it.” 

" And  yet,  my  dear,  just  about  one  hundred 
years  ago,  an  unprotected  woman  undertook  this 
journey.” 

"A  woman,  mamma?  what  could  tempt  a 
woman  into  such  an  undertaking  ? ” 

*D 

” A feeling  which  more  frequently  sways  the 
female  heart  than  curiosity,  ambition,  or  avarice  ; 


150  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

it  was  love  that  moved  her,— love  of  her  hus- 
band whom  she  had  not  seen  in  sixteen  long 
years.” 

" Tell  us  about  her, — who  was  she  ? ” cried  the 
children. 

” This  was  a French  lady  named  Madame  Go- 
din. Her  husband  was  sent  by  the  French  gov- 
ernment to  make  scientific  observations  in  South 
America.  He  took  his  family  with  him  to  Quito, 
but,  being  ordered  to  Cayenne,  he  was  forced  to 
leave  them  there.  Year  after  year  passed.  The 
husband  could  not  return,  and  it  was  only  at 
long  intervals  that  they  Were  able  to  communicate 
with  each  other.  The  separation  became  insup- 
portable to  them.  He  attempted  to  ascend  the 
Amazon,  but  was  taken  sick  and  forced  to  re- 
turn. A rumor,  perhaps  growing  out  of  this  at- 
tempt, reached  her  that  an  expedition  had  been 
dispatched  to  meet  her  on  the  upper  Amazon,  and 
with  a courage  inspired  by  her  deep  affection,  she 
set  out  on  the  perilous  journey.  She  was  accom- 


Treachery  of  Orellana . 151 

panied  by  her  brother,  her  two  children  and  five 
servants. 

They  crossed  the  mountains,  and  followed  the 
Pastassa  to  its  junction  with  the  great  river. 
There  they  expected  to  obtain  aid  from  the  Indi- 
ans, among  whom  Catholic  missionaries  had  been 
laboring ; but  they  found  the  missions  desolated 
from  the  ravages  of  small  - pox,  and  they  could 
not  find  even  a guide  or  canoe -man.  They 
found  a canoe,  however,  and  in  this  attempted  to 
descend  the  river ; but,  unacquainted  with  nav- 
igation and  unaccustomed  to  toil,  their  frail  bark 
was  soon  wrecked,  and  they  barely  escaped  with 
their  lives  to  the  shore.  They  had  no  alterna- 
tive but  to  attempt  to  make  their  way  through 
the  awful  solitude  on  foot.  Their  misery  was 
now  beyond  description,  and  you  may  attempt  to 
imagine  the  horrors  which  overwhelmed  this  he- 
roic woman  as  she  saw  one  after  another  of  her 
company  lying  down  to  die,  till  finally  she  found 
herself  the  sole  survivor.55 


152  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

" O mamma  ! ” cried  Laura,  " was  she  really 
left  alone  in  that  great  wilderness  ? ” 

" Yes,  my  dear,  alone,  nearly  three  thousand 
miles  from  the  ocean,  without  food,  her  feet  torn 
and  bleeding,  and  her  clothes  falling  from  her. 
But  she  did  not  sit  down  in  despair.  The  hope 
of  meeting  her  husband  seems  to  have  inspired 
her  with  superhuman  strength.  Taking  the 
shoes  of  one  of  the  dead  men,  she  traveled  on, 
subsisting  on  such  wild  fruit  as  she  could  find. 
The  wild  denizens  of  the  forest  were  her  only 
companions,— loathsome  reptiles,  frightful  snakes 
and  savage  beasts.  But  she  was  not  forsaken. 
A strong  arm  sustained  and  guided  her ; and 
through  those  days  of  wretchedness  and  nights  of 
horror,  she  knew  that  'the  angels  of  the  Lord  en- 
camp around  about  them  that  fear  him.5 

" One  day  she  heard  the  sound  of  human 
voices,  and, hastening  toward  the  river,  discovered 
a company  of  Indians  in  a canoe.  Doubting 
whether  they  would  prove  friends  or  enemies,  she 


Treachery  of  Orellanas 


153 


discovered  herself  to  them.  They  gave  her  all 
the  aid  in  their  power,  and  conducted  her  to  a 
mission  station,  from  which,  after  long  delays 
and  great  sufferings,  she  was  conveyed  down  the 
Amazon  and  restored  to  her  husband. 

" To  - morrow  evening  I will  tell  you  some- 
thing of  the  present  condition  of  this  region.” 


FOURTEENTH  EVENING. 


DESCENDING  THE  MOUNTAINS. 

OW  we  -have  had  our  lesson  in 
history,”  said  Henry,  " and  I think  we 
ought  to  proceed  on  our  journey.  I 
would  like  to  travel  down  the  eastern 
slope  of  the  Andes,  and  see  if  the  country  is  as 
wild  as  when  Pizarro  visited  it.” 

They  ought  to  have  a road  by  this  time,” 
said  Laura.  "I  hope  they  have,  for  I shall  not 
like  to  cut  a path  through  the  forest,  and  wade 
the  unbridged  rivers.” 


" Oh,  that  is  nothing,”  replied  her  brother. 
" I shall  be  along  to  help  you  over  the  bad  plac- 
es,— but  girls  always  are  afraid  ! ” 


Descending  the  Mountains . 155 

Mrs.  White  laughed.  " This  journey  of  which 
you  are  talking  has  tried  the  strength  and  cour- 
age of  the  bravest  men,”  she  said ; " but,  escorted 
by  my  valiant  son,  we  need  not  fear ; so  let  us  set 
off.  You  thought  that  traveling  over  the  mount- 
ains on  mules  was  rather  rough,  but  if  you  go 
east,  you  will  have  to  trust  to  your  own  feet.” 

" What,  all  the  way,  mamma?”  cried  Laura. 
" Not  quite  all  the  way.  Setting  out  from 
Quito,  we  find  a bridle  path  to  Papallacta,  a 
distance  of  forty  miles.  This  path  lies  over  the 
eastern  Cordillera,  and  rises  to  the  elevation  of 
fifteen  thousand  feet.”  ^ 

" So  we  have  to  climb,  getting  out  of  Quito 
as  well  as  getting  into  it,”  said  Henry. 

"Yes,  my  dear ; and  from  this  high  point  we 
have  one  of  the  most  magnificent  prospects  that 
the  earth  affords.  The  mountains  we  are  leaving 
lie  around  us.  To  the  north  is  Imbabura ; the 
word  means  fish  - producing,  and  comes  from  the 
fact  that  this  mountain  sometimes  pours  forth 


156  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

from  its  crater  immense  quantities  of  mud  and 
water,  with  thousands  of  fishes.  At  its  feet  is 
the  beautiful  lake  of  San  Pablo,  which  contains 
fishes  of  the  same  species  as  those  which  have 
been  thrown  out  of  the  mountain.” 

" That  must  have  been  a ' pretty  kettle  of 
fish,’  ” said  Henry,  " which  was  boiled  in  that 
volcano,  and  thrown  out  with  such  a wasteful 
hand ; just  to  think  of  it,  thousands  of  fishes 
served  up  with  mud  and  water  ! ” 

" My  dear,”  said  the  mother,  laughing,  " your 
remark  proves  that  ' there  is  but  one  step  from 
thc^sublime  to  the  ridiculous,’  but  if  this  thought 
helps  you  to  remember  the  fact,  we  will  pardon 
it. 

" Still  nearer,  in  the  same  direction,  is  Cayambi, 
standing  exactly  on  the  equator.  I told  you  of  this 
mountain  before,  and  I wish  you  to  notice  and 
remember  it.  Its  appearance  from  this  point  is 
indescribably  sublime.  Rising  to  the  hight  of 
nineteen  thousand  and  five  hundred  feet,  it  seems 


Descending  the  Mountains . 157 

a mighty  mass  of  ice  and  snow,  which  the  sun- 
light kindles  into  ineffable  glory.  South,  is 
Antisana,  a fierce  volcano  in  ages  past,  second 
only  to  Cotopaxi.  Its  sides  have  been  rent  by 
internal  fires,  and  plowed  by  rivers  of  molten  lava  ; 
but  now  the  snow  lies  cold  and  still,  covering  it 
three  thousand  feet  below  its  inapproachable  sum- 
mit. And  still  a little  farther  off  is  Cotopaxi 
itself,  the  most  terrific  of  volcanoes.  We  can 
see  the  silvery  cone  from  which  issues  a great 
cloud  of  black  smoke,  and  we  can  hear  the  deep 
rumbling  thunder  of  its  subterranean  fire.  East- 
ward, is  the  great  valley  we  are  about  to  enter. 
It  looks  like  a great  ocean  of  foliage,  rolling,  wave 
after  wave,  up  the  mountain  side. 

From  this  point  the  descent  is  frightful,  through 
quagmires  and  swamps,  and  down  flights  of  rocky 
steps.  General  Putnam’s  famous  ride  was  noth- 
ing to  it,  but  the  Indian  horses  are  trained  to 
such  roads,  and  generally  manage  to  carry  their 
riders  safely. 


158 


livening s with  the  Children . 


Here,  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  mountains 
and  western  edge  of  the  great  forest  is  Papal- 
lacta,  a village  of  thirty  houses,  or  rather  hovels, 
miserable  and  dirty  beyond  description.  With 
their  usual  hospitality,  the  poor  people  offer  us 
the  best  they  have,  and  even  the  governor  and  his 
family  will  turn  themselves  out  of  doors  that  we 
may  have  their  best  bed,  which  is  a raw  hide 
stretched  over  some  round  poles.” 

"Who  can  ever  sleep  on  such  a bed?”  said 
Laura. 

" You  remember  you  thought  it  very  strange 
that  so  few  people  travel  in  South  America. 
You  begin  to  understand  that  it  involves  such 
hardships  as  very  few  are  willing  to  encounter. 
If  you  follow  the  track  of  Pizarro,  you  must  pre- 
pare yourself  for  still  greater  privations. 

" Here  we  must  bid  farewell  to  our  horses,  and 
hire  Indians  to  carry  our  baggage  and  guide  us 
through  the  wilderness.  Our  outfit  for  this  jour- 
ney requires  more  calculation  and  care  than  for  a 


Descending  the  Mountains . 


159 


voyage  round  the  world.  We  shall  be  cut  off  for 
weeks,  perhaps  for  months,  from  all  resources  east 
or  west,  and  we  must  carry  everything  with  us 
that  is  indispensable  to  life.” 

" Why  can  we  not  catch  game,  and  live  as 
travelers  do  in  Africa,  and  in  our  own  western 
forest?”  inquired  Henry. 

" Because  wild  animals  are  not  plenty  enough 
to  be  depended  on  for  food,  especially  in  the  dry 
season,  which  extends  from  November  to  April. 
In  the  rainy  season,  the  swollen  streams  and 
flooded  plains  render  the  journey  impossible  even 
to  Indians. 

"An  Indian  will  carry  seventy -five  pounds, 
made  into  a bundle  and  bound  to  his  shoulders 
by  straps  across  his  forehead  and  breast.  With 
fifteen  or  twenty  of  these  peons,  as  they  are  called, 
bearing  our  food,  clothing,  medicine,  tools,  (fee., 
we  plunge  into  the  forest.  Laura  thought  there 
ought  to  be  a road,  but  there  is  only  a trail,  and 
that  so  little  used  we  are  in  danger  of  losing  it. 


160  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

" What  a journey  is  before  us, — over  the  hills, 
through  the  swamps,  across  the  unbridged  rivers  ! 
Strong  men  think  they  have  done  well  when  they 
have  traveled  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  a day. 
When  night  overtakes  us,  there  is  not  even  the 
shelter  of  a bamboo  hut ; but  our  Indians  make 
us  a booth  of  palm  - leaves  under  which  we  must 
rest.  We  want  a fire  to  cook  our  suppers,  but 
we  wonder  how  we  shall  get  it,  for  everything  in 
the  forest  is  dripping  wet.  The  Indians  know 
what -to  do.  They  look  about  till  they  find  a 
tree  which  they  call  sindicaspi , — which  means 
wood  that  burns,  — and,  gathering  the  green 
boughs,  they  make  a pile,  and  kindle  them  with  a 
match.  This  tree  seems  a special  provision  for 
our  wants.  So  we  hang  our  dripping  garments 
by  the  cheerful  blaze,  and  sip  our  hot  chocolate 
under  a canopy  of  leaves  so  thick  that  the  sun 
never  pierces  it.  We  will  thank  God  for  the 
wood  that  burns  where  everything  is  wet.” 

said  Laura,  with  a sigh, 


"Ah,  mamma,” 


LIBRARY 
OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILUNOM 


View  in  the  A rules.  Page  97. 


Descending  the  Mountains . 


161 


it  is  very  dreary  traveling  here  in  the  wilder- 
ness. What  shall  we  find  to  pay  us  for  our 
trouble  ? ” 

” The  manifold  and  wonderful  works  of  God, 
my  child.  Those  only  who  have  an  enthusiastic 
love  of  nature,  forget  the  discomforts  of  the 
situation.  Here  are  ferns  fifty  feet  high,  with 
stout,  rough  stems  like  trees ; and  rushes,  — 
plants  akin  to  those  you  have  so  often  gathered 
in  the  swamps  for  playthings,  — which  are 
twenty  - five  feet  in  length ; and  here  is  the 
water  - tree, — huadhuac , the  natives  call  it, — a 
kind  of  bamboo,  which  sometimes  yields  two 
quarts  of  clear  water  between  the  joints ; here 
also  are  curious  orchises  which  can  be  found  in 
no  other  part  of  the  world,  and  wonderful  para- 
sites.” 

" Pray,  what  are  parasites  ? ” said  Henry. 

" Parasites  are  a class  of  plants  which,  instead 
of  having  their  roots  in  the  earth,  fix  themselves 
on  other  plants  or  trees,  from  which  they  draw 


162  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

their  nourishment.  They  abound  here,  and  we 
frequently  see  trees  of  stupendous  growth, 
strangled  in  their  twining  arms,  and  standing  like 
skeletons  in  the  midst  of  wonderful  masses  of 
flowers  and  foliage  which  they  have  nourished 
with  their  very  lives.” 

" What  selfish  and  ungrateful  plants  ! ” ex- 
claimed Laura.  " They  remind  me  of  wicked 
people  who  live  at  the  expense  of  others.” 

"This  thought  has  occurred  to  others,”  replied 
the  mother,  smiling.  " The  German  traveler, 
Burmeister,  observes  that  ' the  contemplation  of 
a tropical  forest  produced  on  him  a painful  im- 
pression, on  account  of  the  vegetation  displaying 
a spirit  of  restless  selfishness,  eager  emulation  and 
craftiness.5  Another  traveler  has  suggested  that 
a tropical  forest  is  a fit  emblem  of  humanity.  The 
fierce  struggle  for  existence  in  which  the  strong 
show  no  respect  for  the  weak,  and  the  selfish- 
ness of  parasites,  which  advance  themselves  at 
the  expense  of  others,  find  their  parallels  in 


Descending  the  Mountains . 


1G3 


human  society.  There  is  another  aspect  which 
reminds  us  of  our  own  lives.  Leaves  have  no 
set  time  to  fall,  and  flowers  do  not  wither  ' at  the 
north  wind’s  breath,’  but  they  are  budding  and 
decaying  all  the  year,,  It  seems  like  a constant 
struggle  between  life  and  death, 

6 Where  ever  upon  old  decay 
The  freshest  verdure  springs.’ 

"The  silence  in  this  deep  forest  is  almost  per- 
fect. We  may  travel  for  days  without  the  sight 
of  any  living  creature  except  insects.  If  we  meet 
with  no  misfortune,  we  may  hope  to  get  through 
the  wilderness  in  two  weeks,  and  reach  the  vil- 
lage of  Archidona,  where  there  is  a Catholic 
mission.  We  are  very  glad  to  escape  from  the 
leafy  canopy  and  to  look  up  into  the  sky.  We 
are  glad  to  see  the  faces  of  human  beings,  and 
though  this  is  a poor  place,  it  seems  full  of  com- 
fort to  us,  and  the  Catholic  missionary  is  a friend 
and  brother.  This  has  been  a missionary  station 
two  hundred  years.  The  Indians  are  childlike 
and  docile,  but  the  corrupt  religion  which  has 


164  Evenings  with  the  Children .. 

been  taught  them,  has  benefited  them  very  little. 
There  is  a church,  and  morning  and  evening  the 
people  assemble  to  sing  and  pray ; but  there  are 
no  signs  of  the  spiritual  purity  or  intellectual 
growth  which  always  accompanies  a pure  Chris- 
tianity. 

Another  day’s  journey  brings  us  to  the  Rio 
Napo.  We  will  rest  here  to  - night,  and  to  - 
morrow  proceed  down  the  river  to  the  Amazon.” 


FIFTEENTH  EVENING. 


THE  RIVER  NAPO. 


>ERE  we  are  on  the  Rio  Napo,” 
said  Henry,  as  he  and  his  sister  ex- 
amined their  map,  and  traced  their 
imaginary  course  through  the  wilder- 
" How  far  are  we  to  travel  before  we  reach 
the  Amazon  ? ” 

" Five  hundred  miles,”  replied  Mrs.  White. 

" Oh,  dear  ! ” said  Laura ; " can  it  be  so  far?  ” 
" This  little  river  is  eight  hundred  miles  long, 


ness. 


and  though  it  looks  like  a tiny  thread  on  your  map, 
it  is  a broad  and  rapid  stream.  Emerging  from 
the  wilderness,  we  feel,  when  we  reach  this  place, 


166  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

that  we  have  touched  the  verge  of  the  civilized 
world  again. 

w Here,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river,  is  the 
village  of  Napo,  containing  eighty  or  ninety  fami- 
lies, mostly  Indians.  We  must  look  out  for 
the  plantation  of  Mr.  George  Edwards,  who  has 
been  living  here  several  years.” 

" Pray,  mamma,”  cried  Laura,  ” who  is  Mr. 
George  Edwards,  and  what  kind  of  a plantation 
has  he  here  ? ” 

" Mr.  Edwards  is  a native  of  Connecticut,  who 
has  chosen  to  make  a home  here.  Five  or  six 
years  ago,  the  government  gave  him  a large 
tract  of  land,  two  miles  west  of  the  village,  where 
lie  commenced  the  cultivation  of  vanilla,  and  we 
may  hope  that,  by  this  time,  he  begins  to  reap 
the  reward  of  his  industry.  His  plantation  must 
be  a pretty  place,  for  the  vanilla  is  a graceful  vine 
of  the  orchis  family.  The  aromatic  seeds,  from 
which  our  perfumes  and  flavors  are  distilled,  grow 
in  pods  like  beans. 


The  River  JVapo. 


167 


"This  region,  under  proper  cultivation,  might 
be  made  like  a garden,  yielding  the  most  valua- 
ble productions  of  either  hemisphere  in  profusion, 
but  agriculture  is  unknown.” 

"How  do  the  people  live?  ” inquired  Henry. 
"They  live  in  bamboo  huts,  thatched  with 
palm  leaves,  and  secure  a scanty  and  uncertain 
supply  of  food  by  hunting  and  fishing,  and  by 
the  use  of  a few  vegetables  which  grow  almost 
spontaneously.  Bread  is  entirely  unknown,  and 
its  place  is  supplied  by  the  yuca.” 

" And  what  is  the  yuca?  I never  heard  of  it  be- 
fore,” said  Laura. 

" It  is  the  beet  - like  root  of  a little  tree  which 
grows  to  the  hight  of  ten  feet.  The  warm  and 
fertile  soil  yields  an  abundant  crop  with  very 
little  labor,  and  it  forms  the  staple  article  of  food. 
It  is  usually  roasted  in  the  ashes,  as  people  used 
to  roast  potatoes,  but  it  is  sometimes  ground  and 
made  into  cakes  somewhat  resembling  bread. 
From  this  root  the  natives  make  a kind  of  fer- 


168  JEvenings  with  the  Children . 

merited  liquor,  whieh  serves  them  instead  of  lager 
beer.  They  call  it  chicha,  and  manage,  by 
drinking  great  quantities  of  it,  to  make  them- 
selves drunk.” 

"You  said  that  the  Indians  hunt.  Is  there 
game  here  ? ” inquired  Henry. 

" Animal  life  is  much  more  abundant  near  the 
Napo  than  in  the  great  forest.  Monkeys  abound, 
and  jaguars,  peccaries  and  deer  are  not  uncom- 
mon. But  the  monkey  is  the  principal  game  of 
the  Indians.  They  have  no  fire  - arms,  but  they 
have  contrived  a gun  of  their  own  which  answers 
their  purpose  very  well.  They  make  a blow’  - pipe 
of  a small  palm  having  a pith,  which,  being  re- 
moved j leaves  a smooth  bore.  Through  these 
tubes,  which  are  about  ten  feet  long,  they  blow 
slender  arrows,  cut  from  the  leaf  stalk  of  a palm 
and  winged  with  a tuft  of  silk  cotton.  The  nee- 
dle - like  points  of  these  arrows  are  dipped  in  a 
deadly  poison  called  ' urari.’  The  Indians  will 
blow  these  arrows  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and 


The  River  JVapo. 


169 


an.  ox,  struck  by  one  of  them,  will  die  in  twenty 
minutes,  and  a monkey  in  ten.” 

" And  do  they  eat  these  poisoned  animals  ? ” 
said  Laura,  with  a look  of  disgust. 

" Certainly  they  do  ; and  they  do  not  seem  to 
be  injured  in  the  least.  Indeed,  it  is  said  that  this 
poison,  so  fatal  to  wild  animals,  is  harmless  to 
man.” 

"I  prefer  not  to  try  it,”  said  Henry;  " and 
hope  we  shall  not  be  obliged  to  eat  their  poisoned 
monkey  - meat.” 

" You  will  have  as  little  appetite  for  their  fish, 
when  I tell  you  how  they  catch  them,”  replied 
the  mother,  laughing. 

" I am  quite  sure  they  do  not  kill  them  with 
poisoned  arrows,”  said  Laura. 

" No,  but  this  is  the  way  they  do  : — they  gather 
the  roots  of  a poisonous  plant,  which  they  call 
barbosco,  and  having  mashed  them,  they  throw 
them  into  the  quiet  coves  of  the  river.  Very 
soon  the  fish  rise  to  the  surface  and  are  taken 


170  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

without  difficulty.  It  is  a style  of  fishing  that  is 
usually  adopted  elsewhere. 

" From  this  point  to  the  Amazon,  the  Napo 
flows  through  the  dense  forest,  broken  now  and 
then  by  little  Indian  villages.  If  we  were  to 
make  the  journey  by  land,  we  should  find  it  dan- 
gerous and  toilsome,  but  we  can  hire  the  Indians 
to  take  us  in  their  canoes.  They  are  strong  and 
expert  boatmen,  and  will  paddle  down  to  the 
great  river  in  fifteen  or  twenty  days.  The  swarms 
of  insects  which  cover  the  water  will  annoy  us, 
and  the  heat  will  be  uncomfortable  ; but  while  we 
glide  down  the  stream  by  day  and  camp  on  the 
shore  at  night,  we  shall  have  a fine  opportunity  to 
observe  the  strange  animals  and  the  wonderful 
vegetable  productions  of  this  region.  kSometimes 
the  river  flows  for  miles  through  a sea  of  bamboo. 
This  singular  plant,  sometimes  called  the  king  of 
grasses,  grows  to  the  hight  of  eighty  feet,  or 
rather  it  grows  to  that  length,  for  the  stalks  curve 
downward.  With  all  the  airy  grace  of  a field  of 


The  River  JVapo* 


171 


wheat  or  tali  grass,  it  has  the  hight  of  our  forests, 
and  as  the  wind  sweeps  over  it,  there  is  an  in- 
describable beauty  in  the  swaying  mass.  Here 
we  begin  to  see  the  palms  in  their  perfection  and 
glory.  South  America  excels  all  the  rest  of  the 
world  in  this  kingly  growth,  to  which  the  prize  of 
beauty  has  been  awarded  by  the  concurrent  voice 
of  all  ages.  The  peculiar  majesty  of  the  palms  is 
due  not  only  to  the  straight  and  lofty  stems,  but 
also,  in  a high  degree,  to  the  form  and  arrange- 
ment of  their  graceful  leaves,  which  always  spring 
from  the  top  of  the  trunk.  The  plumes  of  the 
jupati  palm,  so  common  here,  are  forty  feet  in 
length,  and  form  a canopy  so  dense  as  to  be 
scarcely  penetrated  by  the  rays  of  a vertical  sun. 
Here,  also,  is  the  silk -cotton  tree,  with'  its  white 
bark  and  lofty  flat  crown,  rivaling  even  the  palm 
in  majesty,  and  the  beautiful  mimosa,  so  deli- 
cately sensitive  that  we  remember  the  ancient 
fable  of  the  maiden  that  was  changed  to  a tree, 
and  wonder  if  there  is  not  a soul  in  the  plant. 


172  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

" Day  after  day,  as  our  Indian  boatmen  paddle 
us  down  the  stream,  we  dream  of  the  time  when 
steamboats  will  stir  these  waters  and  the  wealth  of 
these  magnificent  forests  will  be  opened  to  the 
world.” 

" But  what  is  there  in  these  forests  that  the 
world  cares  for  ? ” said  Henry. 

" A great  deal,  my  dear.  Here  are  mahog- 
any, ebony,  balsam,  cedar,  ivory  - palm,  cinna- 
mon, Brazil  wood,  and  several  valuble  dye  - 
woods.  Here,  also,  is  the  tree  from  which  copal, 
the  gum  so  valuable  in  varnish,  is  obtained,  and 
swamps  of  Napo  tea.” 

"Pray,  what  is  Napo  tea,  mamma?”  cried 
Laura. 

" Napo  tea  is  the  leaf  of  a tall  shrub  which 
grows  wild  here  in  great  abundance.  The  na- 
tives call  it  ' guayusa.’  Its  properties  resemble 
those  of  the  tea  we  use,  and  it  is  said  to  be  so 
refreshing  that  it  will  supply  the  place  of  food  for 
a long  time.  I can  not  begin  to  tell  you  of  the 


The  River  Napo. 


173 


wealth  of  these  great,  unexplored  forests ; but, 
doubtless,  before  many  years  it  will  be  opened  to 
the  world. 

" Animal  life  becomes  more  abundant  as  we  ap- 
proach the  great  river.  Monkeys  chatter  and 
gambol  in  the  lofty  trees.  Parrots  and  macaws 
flutter  and  scream  among  the  flower  - laden  vines. 
Gay  toucons,  rivaling  in  their  plumage  the  most 
brilliant  flowers,  wag  their  heads  and  yelp  at 
us.  Ducks,  cormorants  and  white  cranes  float 
on  the  water.  Clouds  of  butterflies  flutter  about 

u.s, — such  beautiful  butterflies  as  we  never  see  in 

* 

the  North.  Their  wings  of  splendid  metallic  blue, 
violet,  orange  and  yellow,  look  like  gold  studded 
with  precious  stones.  Turtles  and  alligators 
bask  on  the  little  sandy  islands,  and  frightful  ana- 
condas, sometimes  twenty -five  feet  long,  startle 
us  with  their  presence. 

" Our  eyes  are  satisfied  with  beauty,  but  there 
are  no  pleasant  or  joyous  sounds  either  by  night 
or  day.  There  is  not  a song-bird  in  all  the  for- 


174 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


est  that  equals  our  own  robin.  The  concert 
which  hails  the  dawTn  is  composed  of  hoots,  and 
chatters,  and  screams,  and  the  evening  is  vocal 
with  the  croak  of  frogs  and  the  unearthly  wails 
of  the  night  - birds.  Bats  flit  silently  about  us  in 
the  night,  monstrous,  hideous  creatures,  whose 
expanded  wings  frequently  measure  two  feet.” 

" Ah,  mamma,”  cried  Laura,  " are  they  the  ter- 
rible bats  which  suck  the  blood  of  people  while 
they  sleep  ? ” 

" I think  we  have  nothing  to  fear  from  them. 
Mr.  Bates,  who  was  well  acquainted  with  this 
region,  assures  us  they  are  harmless,  and  hints 
that  the  blood-thirsty  vampire,  of  which  you 
have  heard,  exists  only  in  imagination. 

" With  this  hasty  view  of  this  great  and  luxu- 
riant region, we  will  imagine  that  we  have  reached 
Pebas,  a small  village  near  the  junction  of  the 
Napo  and  the  Amazon,  where  we  will  rest  for  the 
night.” 


SIXTEENTH  EVENING. 

THE  AMAZON. 

KfERE  we  are  on  the  Amazon,”  said 
Henry,  examining  his  map  as  he  fre- 
quently did  ; " and  here  is  the  town  or 
village  of  Pebas,  where  we  have  had 
the  pleasure  of  passing  the  night.  I think  we 
ought  to  have  breakfast  before  we  start.” 

" Certainly,”  said  Mrs.  White,  laughing ; " we 
will  have  Napo  tea,  turtle  steaks,  and  roasted 
yucas  and  plantains.  Do  you  think  you  can  en- 
joy such  a breakfast  ? ” 

Do  they  eat  turtles  here  ? ” inquired  Laura. 

1 es,  my  dear ; in  the  valley  of  the  Amazon 
the  turtle  and  its  eggs  are  staple  articles  of  food. 


176 


Evenings  with  the  Children. 


There  are  several  species,  but  the  most  common 
is  the  tortaruga,  which  measures,  when  full  - 
grown,  three  feet  in  length  and  two  in  breadth. 
Every  part  of  the  creature  is  turned  to  account. 
Steaks  are  cut  from  the  breast,  which  are  very 
tender  and  palatable ; sausages  are  made  of  the 
stomach,  and  the  rest  is  roasted  in  the  shell. 
Perhaps  you  will  laugh  when  you  learn  that  the 
people  have  little  ponds  in  their  back -yards 
where  they  keep  a stock  of  turtles  for  family  use, 
just  as  we  keep  our  pigs  and  poultry.  And  these 

turtles  beat  our  hens  for  eggs.” 

"Now,  mamma,  you  are  surely  joking,”  cried 

Laura. 

« Very  far  from  it,  my  child ; I am  only  tell- 
ing you  the  plain  truth.  Turtles  of  this  species, 
when  the  season  comes  for  them  to  lay  their  eggs, 
dig  holes  in  the  ground  with  their  feet.  They  do 
this  in  the  evening,  each  one  making  a pit  about 
two  feet  deep,  in  which,  between  midnight  and 
morning,  she  deposits  from  one  to  two  hundred 


The  Amazon . 


177 


egsrs,  and  covers  them  with  sand.  The  natives 
eat  these  eggs,  which  are  about  as  large  as  hens’ 
eggs,  and  regard  them  as  excellent  food.  They 
not  only  eat  them  raw,  and  cooked  in  various 
ways,  but  they  make  butter  of  them.” 

"Then  it  seems,”  said  Henry,  "that  these 
famous  turtles  answer  not  only  instead  of  hens 
and  pigs,  but  instead  of  cows  also.  I would  like 
to  know  how  they  make  butter  from  eggs.” 

"The  turtles  deposit  their  eggs  on  the  little 
islands,  and  on  the  sandy  banks  of  the  river. 
The  natives  collect  great  quantities  of  them,  and, 
having  placed  them  in  a canoe  or  other  large  ves- 
sel, they  stamp  them  with  their  feet.  Water  is 
then  poured  on,  and  the  whole  is  exposed  to  the 
rays  of  the  sun.  The  heat  brings  the  oil  to  the 
surface.  It  is  skimmed  off  and  purified  over  the 
fire  in  a copper  kettle,  when  it  has  the  appearance 
of  melted  butter.  It  is  much  prized  as  a season- 
ing by  the  Indians,  but  to  us  it  tastes  too  much 
like  fish  oil,  and  we  shall  prefer  to  burn  it  in  our 


178  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

lamps,  as  the  people  do  in  Para,  rather  than  to 
eat  it.  The  poor  turtles  have  a hard  time  of  it, 
and  though  they  lay  so  many  eggs,  it  is  said  they 
are  rapidly  decreasing.  Alligators  and  large 
fishes  devour  great  numbers  of  the  young  ones  ; 
but  man  is  their  most  formidable  foe.  It  is  cal- 
culated that  fifty  millions  of  eggs  are  annually 
destroyed  to  make  this  butter  or  oil,  and  Mr. 
Kidder  thinks  that  five  times  that  number  were 
consumed  fifty  years  ago  for  that  purpose. 

Here,  at  Pebas,  we  find  a steamboat  ready  to 
convey  us  down  the  Amazon.  It  seems  very 
strange  to  find  this  triumph  of  civilized  life  here 
in  the  wilderness.  The  Indians  have  not  become 
familiar  witli  it,  though  it  has  been  several  years 
on  the  river.  They  call  it  the  devil’s  canoe. 
This  boat,  though  small,  is  not  crowded,  either 
with  cargo  or  passengers.  It  carries  down  sarsa- 
parilla, copal  and  bees  - wax,  and  accommodates 
any  one  who  happens  to  be  traveling ; but  the 
number  is  usually  very  small. 


- The  Amazon . 


179 


" Even  here,  more  than  three  thousand  miles 
from  its  mouth,  the  great  river  is  sublime  in  its 
power,  and  as  we  glide  down  the  turbid,  yellow 
stream,  the  forests  on  either  hand  dwindle  to  low, 
black  lines,  and  we  see  that  we  shall  be  obliged 
to  go  ashore  in  order  to  make  observations. 
However,  there  is  very  little  to  observe  for  the 
first  seven  hundred  miles  except  the  boundless 
forests,  which  resemble  those  on  the  Napo.  There 
are  no  busy  towns,  only  here  and  there  little  In- 
dian villages  of  palm  huts  half  hidden  in  the  wil- 
derness, where  our  boat  stops  to  take  supplies  of 
wood,  and  such  articles  of  commerce  as  the  peo- 
ple have  to  dispose  of.  But  here,  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Teffe,  is  the  pretty  town  of  Ega,  one  of  the 
oldest  on  the  river,  having  been  founded  nearly 
two  centuries  ago.  We  shall  find  something 
worth  seeing  here. 

" This  town  is  beautifully  situated  on  a grassy 
slope  stretching  out  into  the  water,  with  a har- 
bor on  each  side  of  it.  Nature  has  neglected 


180  Evenings  with  the  Children, 

nothing  which  is  necessary  to  make  it  a charming 
abode  for  man.  The  climate  is  delightful  and 
healthy.  The  soil  is  of  marvelous  fertility, 
clothed  with  perpetual  verdure,  and  almost  free 
from  insect  pests.  Even  the  palm  - thatched  cot- 
tages of  the  Indians  look  inviting,  surrounded 
as  they  are  with  orchards  of  orange,  lemon,  ba- 
nana and  guava  trees.  The  inhabitants,  number- 
ing about  twelve  hundred,  are  made  up  of  In- 
dians, negroes,  mulattoes  and  whites. 

" These  rivers  teem  with  fish  and  turtles. 
Agassiz  spent  six  months  fishing  here,  and  when 
you  have  time  to  read  his  work,  you  will  find  a 
learned  description  of  cetaceans,  crustaceans, 
batrachians,  &c.,  of  which  he  found  eighty  thou- 
sand specimens-.  If  we  walk  down  to  the  shore, 
we  may  observe  some  of  the  strange  forms  of 
animal  life  which  abound  here.  You  have  be- 
come so  familiar  with  turtles  and  alligators  that 
I suppose  they  no  longer  interest  you,  but  they 
are  as  plenty  here  as  frogs  are  in  little  swampy 


The  Amazon . 


181 


ponds  in  New  England.  They  appear  everywhere, 
"Here  is  a canoe  approaching  the  shore.  The 
Indians  have  been  fishing,  and  we  will  observe 
them.  The  men  are  copper-colored,  lazy-looldng 
animals,  dressed  in  short  pants  and  shirt,  made 
of  coarse  cotton,  and  the  women  wear  a petti- 
coat of  the  same  material.  Like  all  Indians, 
they  are  taciturn  and  apathetic.  They  have 
caught  a manati,  and  are  smiling  grimly  over 
their  prize.  This  animal  differs  slightly  from 
those  found  in  the  West  Indies  and  Central 
America,  of  which  I told  you.  The  Portuguese 
call  it  peixe  boi , or  fish  ox,  though  it  has  no  re- 
semblance to  an  ox  except  in  its  size.  It  feeds 
on  the  water  plants  which  grow  on  the  borders  of 
the  streams,  and  is  caught  in  strong  nets  made  of 
the  fibers  of  a kind  of  palm.  The  flesh  and  fat 
resemble  those  of  the  hog,  and  as  they  weigh  from 
eight  to  fifteen  hundred  pounds,  and  are  plenty, 
you  see  the  natives  easily  supply  themselves  with 
ail  they  wish. 


182  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

"Here  is  another  fish  peculiar  to  this  region,  a 
powerful  creature,  eight  feet  in  length,  covered 
with  an  ornamental  coat  - of  - mail,  its  large  scales 
being  margined  with  bright  red.” 

"Ah,  what  a pretty  fish  ! ” said  Laura. 

"Yes,  my  dear,  pretty  and  very  useful,  as  its 
flesh,  salted  and  dried,  forms  a staple  article  of 
food  and  export.  The  natives  call  it  pirarucu, 
and  this,  with  the  turtle  and  manati,  is  as  impor- 
tant to  them  as  our  domestic  animals  are  to  us. 

" Now  let  us  turn  from  the  river  to  the  great 
forest  which  surrounds  the  town,  — the  pathless 
forest,  save  here  and  there  a hunter’s  trail  leading 
away  into  the  unknown  interior.  Oh,  what  a 
bewildering  diversity  of  trees,  — what  a wild  un- 
conquered race  of  vegetable  giants,  draped,  fes- 
tooned, corded,  matted,  and  ribboned  with  climb- 
ing plants  that  cover  their  trunks  with  flowers 
and  hang  like  strings  of  jewels  from  their  branches, 
which  form  a dense  dome  a hundred  feet  above 
our  heads  ! 


The  Amazon . 


133 


Thirty  species  of  palms  are  found  here,  all  of 
them  beautiful,  and  apparently  adapted  to  some 
specific  service  to  the  human  race.  Prominent 
among  them  are  the  pupunha,  or  peach  palm, 
with  drooping  green  leaves  and  abundance  of  de- 
licious and  wholesome  fruit ; and  the  cocoa  palm, 
which  literally  furnishes  the  people  with  food, 
drink,  fuel,  houses  and  commerce.” 

" I should  like  to  know  how  it  can  do  all  that,” 
said  Henry,  rather  incredulously. 

" The  nuts  are  used  as  food,  and  you  know 
how  sweet  and  nutritious  is  the  water,  or  milk  as 
it  is  sometimes  called.  The  shells  are  made  into 
dippers  and  cups,  the  fibrous  bark  into  cordage. 
The  leaf  furnishes  thatch  for  the  houses,  materials 
for  baskets  and  fences,  and  fuel  for  the  fires. 
The  terminal  bud  is  a delicate  article  of  food,  and 
the  juice  of  the  flower  and  stem  contains  sugar, 
and  may  be  fermented  into  wfine  or  distilled  into 
spirits.  The  trunk  is  used  in  the  construction 
of  houses,  and  for  many  other  purposes.  Besides 


184 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


all  this,  the  nuts  are  sold  for  export,  and  a 
great  quantity  of  oil  is  made  from  them  for  the 
same  purposes.  This  is  the  cocoa-nut  oil  so 
much  used  in  manufacturing  toilet  soaps  and  hair 
pomades.” 

" I do  not  see  that  the  people  need  the  thirty 
other  kinds  of  palms,  and  all  the  other  trees,” 
said  Laura.  "I  am  sure  they  would  do  very 
well  with  this  alone.” 

" God  is  very  bountiful  to  his  creatures  in  this 
tropical  region,  and  he  doubtless  designs  that  all 
the  world  shall  partake  of  the  riches  which  he 
pours  into  this  great  valley.  In  our  next  talk,  I 
will  tell  you  of  another  tree  that  grows  here, 
from  which  an  article  is  produced  that  has  be- 
come essential  to  our  health  and  comfort.  I 
leave  you  to  guess  what  it  is.” 


SEVENTEENTH  EVENING. 


THE  CAOUTCHOUC. 


ELL,”  said  Mrs.  White,  " have 
you  thought  about  the  tree  of  which 

I spoke  to  you  last  evening?  ” for  the 

* 

children  reminded  her  that  they  were 
waiting  for  the  evening  talk. 


" Yes,”  said  Henry,  ” we  have  thought  about 
it,  and  talked  about  it,  too.  You  said  a tree 
grows  here  which  produces  an  article  essential  to 
our  health  and  comfort ; we  can’t  think  what  it 


is. 


?? 


" I almost  think  it  is  coffee,”  said  Laura  ; " but 
I do  not  know  as  that  is  essential  to  our  health.” 
"How  did  it  happen,  my  dear,  that  you  came 


186  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

home  from  school59  last  Friday  with  wet  feet,  and 
have  had  a cold  ever  since?”  asked  the  mother, 
smiling. 

" Oh,  I know  now,”  cried  Laura.  "I  forgot 
my  rubber  shoes.  India  rubber ! Is  that  it, 
mamma?” 

"Yesj  the  caoutchouc,  or  India  rubber  tree 
grows  here,  and  yields  an  article  of  greater  value 
than  anything  else  in  the  great  valley.  This  is  a 
beautiful  as  well  as  a useful  tree,  growing  from 
eighty  to  one  hundred  feet  high,  with  spreading 
top  and  thick,  glossy  foliage.  If  we  follow  one 
of  these  paths  into  the  forest,  we  may  find  a par- 
ty of  Indians  collecting  and  preparing  the  gum, 
for  this  is  the  season  of  the  year  when  it  flows  in 
greatest  abundance.  They  make  little  incisions 
in  the  smooth,  gray  bark  of  the  trees  in  the 
morning,  and  under  each  one  they  place  a little 
cup  of  clay. 

" The  gum  flows  out,  about  a gill  to  each  in- 
cision, looking  like  thick,  yellow  cream.  It  is 


The  Caoutchouc . 


187 


collected  into  large  jars,  and  removed  to  the  fire 
where  it  is  to  be  hardened. ” 

" Do  they  boil  it  down  as  we  do  sap  ? ” said 
Henry. 

"No,  my  child ; they  pour  this  cream  over 
forms  of  clay,  and  these  they  hang  in  a dense 
smoke  made  by  burning  palm  nuts,  till  it  hardens 
and  assumes  a dark  color  ; then  another  coat  is 
added,  and  the  smoking  repeated. 

" The  use  of  this  valuable  gum  was  learned 
from  the  Omaguas,  a tribe  of  Brazilian  Indians, 
who  used  to  make  bottles  ; and  as  they  had  nei- 
ther glass  nor  earthen  - ware,  they  must  have 
found  it  of  much  service  to  them.” 

" How  did  they  make  bottles  of  it?”  inquired 
Henry.  " I should  not  think  that  was  so 
easy.” 

"They  did  it  in  this  way, — they  made  the  form 
of  the  bottle  of  clay.  This  form  they  coated  with 
the  liquid  gum,  drying  it  in  the  smoke,  as  I de- 
scribed to  you,  and  when  they  had  obtained  the 


188 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


necessary  thickness,  they  crushed  the  clay  so  that 
it  could  be  removed  through  the  neck  of  the  bot- 
tle. Twenty  - five  years  ago,  our  rubber  shoes 
were  made  in  the  same  way  here  in  the  forest,  and 
imported  in  the  form  in  which  we  wore  them. 
Since  that  time,  great  improvements  have  been 
made  in  manufacturing  this  gum,  and  its  uses 
have  been  vastly  increased,  so  that  if  these  trees 
were  destroyed,  the  whole  civilized  world  would 
feel  their  loss.” 

" I am  glad  to  know  where  rubber  comes  from,” 
said  Laura ; ” and  when  I put  on  my  over  - shoes 
I shall  think  of  the  Indians  gathering  the  gum 
from  these  tall,  beautiful  trees  here  in  the  great 
forest.” 

" But  here  is  another  tree  which  will  interest 
you,  the  massaranduba,  or  cow  - tree.” 

" The  cow  - tree?”  cried  Henry.  " They  make 
butter  out  of  turtle’s  eggs  ; do  they  get  milk  from 
trees  ? ” 

" Yes,,  my  dear ; these  splendid  trees,  often 


The  Caoutchouc, 


189 


growing  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high,  yield  a 
rich  milk  which  may  be  used  for  tea,  coffee,  and 
custards.” 

" Do  they  make  cheese  of  it?  99  said  Laura. 

Mrs.  White  laughed.  ”1  think  not;  this 
milk  hardens  by  exposure,  so  as  to  resemble  gut- 
ta  - percha,  and  would  defy  the  teeth  of  a dog  to 
eat  it. 

" And  here  is  a beautiful  little  tree,  covered 
with  clusters  of  red  and  white  flowers,  which  pro- 
duces the  urucu,  or  annato,  so  much  used  to  color 
cheese.  The  preparation  which  you  have  proba- 
bly seen  is  the  oily  pulp  of  the  seed.  It  is  al- 
lowed to  ferment,  and  is  then  made  into  cakes 
weighing  two  or  three  pounds,  in  which  form  it 
is  exported.  The  Indians  use  great  quantities  of 
this  annato.  They  not  only  color  the  -scanty 
clothes  they  wear  with  it,  but  they  paint  their 
persons,  sometimes  besmearing  the  whole  sur- 
face of  their  bodies  with  it,  and  sometimes  put- 
ting it  on  in  fanciful  stripes  and  patches. 


190  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

"Now  look  up  into  the  top  of  this  gigantic 
tree.  The  lofty  branches,  a hundred  feet  above 
your  heads,  seem  to  be  loaded  with  cannon  balls 
which  hang  on  them  like  apples.  Here  one  has 
fallen  at  your  feet  and  burst  in  falling.  Examine 
it,  and  you  discover  it  contains  twenty  or  thirty 
of  the  triangular  Brazil  nuts  of  which  you  are  so 
fond.” 

"Ah,  mamma,”  cried  Henry,  "is  n’t  it  a nice 
place  to  go  a - nutting  ? ” 

" Certainly ; it  must  be  a paradise  for  boys  and 
girls ; for  here,  besides  the  Brazil  nuts,  grow  the 
delicious  chicken  nuts.” 

" I never  heard  of  chicken  nuts  before,”  said 
Henry,  with  a look  of  surprise. 

" He  thinks  he  ought  to  know  about  all  the 
nuts,”  said  his  sister,  laughing. 

" These  chicken  nuts  do  not  reach  our  north- 
ern markets,  because  the  monkeys  and  peccaries, 
which  know  that  they  are  the  best  of  nuts,  stand 
ready  to  devour  them. 


The  Caoutchouc . 


191 


" Here,  also,  we  find  the  cacao  growing  wild. 
This,  you  remember,  is  the  nut  from  which  choc- 
olate is  made.  The  generic  title,  theobroma, — 
or  food  for  the  gods, — is  not  undeserved.  The 
valley  of  the  Amazon  is,  no  doubt,  destined  to 
supply  the  world  with  this  valuable  article.  Here 

are  swamps  of  sarsaparilla,  and  the  trees  from 
■» 

which  the  balsam  copaiba  is  obtained. 

" There  are  some  strange  forms  of  animal  life 
which  we  must  not  fail  to  observe.  Crossing  our 
trail  we  notice  a curious,  well  beaten  path,  evi- 
dently not  made  by  man  or  beast.  Watching  it 
a while,  we  perceive  that  it  is  one  of  the  many 
paths  of  the  dreaded  Sauba  ants,  and  following  it 
we  find  the  formicarium,  or  ant  hill,  which  is  two 

j- 

or  three  feet  in  hight,  and  perhaps  forty  in  diam- 
eter. This  is  the  dome  which  covers  the  en- 
trances to  the  vast  subterranean  galleries,  which 
astonish  us  no  less  by  their  magnitude  than  by 
the  skill  with  which  they  are  arranged  and  fin- 
ished. No  city  can  be  laid  out  with  more  regu- 


192 


Evenings  with  the  Children. 


larity,  or  with  a wiser  reference  to  the  wants  of 
its  inhabitants  ; and  the  beautiful  domes,  arches 
and  colonnades  amaze  and  bewilder  us.  The  in- 
stinct of  these  little  insects  is  wonderful,  and 
should  fill  us  with  adoration  for  Him  who  is  able 
to  endow  the  meanest  of  his  creatures  with  such 
wisdom. 

” These  ants  are  vegetable  eaters,  and  unfor- 
tunately prefer  the  leaves  of  cultivated  trees,  es- 
pecially the  orange  and  coffee,  and  they  are  in 
such  immense  numbers  that  the  farmer  frequently 
wakes  in  the  morning  to  find  his  orange  orchard 
or  his  coffee  plantation  ruined  by  them  in  a single 
night. 

w This  is  only  one  of  the  many  kinds  of  ants 
found  here.  Mr.  Bates  noticed  ten  species  of 
the  foraging  ants.  They  choose  the  thickest  parts 
of  the  forests*  and  hunt  for  their  prey  in  large, 
organized  armies,  every  species  having  its  own 
special  manner  of  marching  and  hunting. 

" Here,  by  the  shady  brooks,  we  find  dragon 


The  Caoutchouc . 


193 


flies  of  wonderful  size  and  beauty.  Their  green 
and  crimson  bodies  are  sometimes  seven  inches 
long,  and  their  elegant,  lace  - like  wings  are  tipped 
with  white  and  yellow.  As  they  dart  over  the 
water  with  airy  and  graceful  motions,  we  forget 
their  ugly  name  in  admiration  of  their  beauty. 
Here,  also,  as  everywhere  in  the  valley,  there  are 
immense  numbers  of  the  most  beautiful  butterflies. 
Mr.  Bates  found  five  hundred  and  fifty  species 
within  an  hour’s  walk  of  this  town  of  Ega,  while 
the  whole  of  Europe  has.  but  three  hundred  and 
ninety.  The  different  species  live  together,  and 
the  beauty  of  their  many  colored  wings  is  inde- 
scribable, and  harmonizes  wonderfully  with  the 
rich,  tropical  landscapes. 

"I  think  you  are  getting  weary  with  this  long 
ramble,  and  we  will  return  to  the  steamboat  and 
float  down  the  river  during  the  night.” 

O o 


EIGHTEENTH  EVENING. 

THE  EIO  NEGEO. 

f)^LEASE  tell  us,  mamma,  how  far 
we  have  got  down  the  river,”  said 
Henry.  " I want  to  see  what  there  is 
worth  seeing,  so  do  n’t  let  us  go  too 

fast.” 

"Well,  my  dear,  I think  we  are  just  opposite 
the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Negro.  The  Amazon  be- 
gins to  look  like  a lake  more  than  a river,  having 
a width  of  four  or  five  miles.  The  line  separat- 
ing the  black*  waters  of  the  tributary  from  the 
yellow,  turbid  waters  of  the  great  stream,  is 
sharply  drawn,  and  we  can  see  for  a long  way 
where  they  float  side  by  side  before  they  mingle. 


The  Rio  Negro . 


195 


Look  on  your  map,  and  just  above  the  junction 
of  the  rivers  you  will  see  the  town  of  Manaos. 
The  steamboats  stop  here,  so  we  may  look  about 
a little. 

"The  commercial  advantages  of  this  town, 
having  water  communication  with  two  - thirds  of 
the  continent  and  also  with  the  Atlantic,  are 
hardly  surpassed  by  those  of  any  other  city  in  the 
world.  The  country  around  is  beautiful,  and  the 
vegetation  marvelously  rich  and  diversified.” 

" Do  oranges  and  nuts  grow  here  ? ” inquired 
Laura. 

"Yes,  in  the  greatest  abundance;  so  also  do 
plantains,  bananas,  guavas,  papayas,  and  the 
delicious  atta,  which  some  person  has  called  a 
spiritualized  strawberry.” 

" Does  it  resemble  a strawberry  ? 99  said  Henry. 
" I should  like  to  taste  it  before  I believe  it  is 
better.' ” 

" This  is  a large  fruit,  weighing  several  pounds, 
which  grows  on  a tree ; very  unlike  a strawberry 


196  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

in  size  and  manner  of  growth,  you  see.  It  lias  a 
thick,  scaly  rind,  which  incloses  a white  pulp, 
rich  as  custard,  and  delicious  as  strawberries  with 
sugar  and  cream.” 

" What  delightful  fruit ! ” cried  Laura.  " I 
almost  think  I should  like  to  live  here.” 

w Nature  has  done  everything  to  make  this 
region  delightful,  and  the  means  of  life  easy. 
Indeed,  her  gifts  are  so  profuse  that  they  become 
a curse  rather  than  a blessing.  The  stern  voice 
of  necessity,  ' work  or  die/  is  not  heard  here,  and 
without  this  salutary  stimulus,  social  life  seems  to 
stagnate,  and  men  become  so  idle  and  thriftless 
that  they  are  miserable  in  the  midst  of  abundance, 
and  poor  with  inexhaustible  wealth  around  them. 

" This  * town  contains  about  two  thousand  in- 
habitants, a mongrel  set  of  Indians,  Negroes,  Por- 
tuguese, and  various  shades  of  mixed  blood.  Be- 
sides these,  there  are  a few  American  and  Euro- 
pean traders,  who  infuse  a little  life  among  them, 
and,  from  the  immense  natural  resources,  gather 


The  Rio  Negro . 197 

a few  articles  for  commerce.  The  coffee  which 
grows  here  on  the  Eio  Negro  is  the  best  that  is 
produced  in  South  America,  and  with  the  necessa- 
ry labor,  might  be  almost  unlimited  in  quantity. 
Here,  also,  the  Brazilian  nutmegs  grow  on  tall 
trees,  and  the  aromatic  tonka  beans.” 

" Pray  what  are  tonka  beans  good  for  ? ” in- 
quired Henry. 

" Did  you  ever  see  a brown , flat  bean  in  an  old 
lady’s  snuff-box?”  asked  Mrs.  White,  with  a 
smile. 

w I have,”  said  ' Laura.  " Old  Mrs.  Conover 
has  one,  and  it  smells  very  sweet,  too.” 

" Well,  my  dear,  that  is  probably  a tonka  bean 
which  she  keeps  to  flavor  her  snuff.  Perhaps  it 
grew  here  on  one  of  these  lofty  trees  by  the  Eio 
Negro.  When  you  see  another,  you  will  remem- 
ber where  it  came  from.” 

" I am  sure  I shall,  mamma.” 

” You  almost  thought  you  would  like  to  live 
here.  I am  sure  you  would  enjoy  the  abundant 


198 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


fruits , but  I am  afraid  you  would  miss  your  bread 
and  butter.” 

" Can’t  we  have  bread  and  butter  here  ? ” ex- 
claimed Henry. 

"Neither  bread  nor  butter  is  produced  here, 
and  the  poorer  classes  are  entirely  unacquainted 
with  their  use.  Instead  of  wheat  fields,  you  see 
plantations  of  mandioca.  From  the  root  of  this 
plant,  which  resembles  the  yuca  of  which  I told 
you,  the  people  prepare  a tolerable  substitute  for 
bread.  The  roots  are  ground  into  a pulp,  which, 
when  pressed  and  baked,  is  farina,  the  bread  of 
Brazil.  Life  and  death  are  strangely  blended  in 
this  plant.  The  juice  which  is  pressed  out  of 
the  pulp  is  a deadly  poison.  Thirty  - five  drops 
of  it  will  kill  a man  in  six  minutes  ; and  yet  it 
deposits  a fine  sediment  of  pure  starch  which  is 
the  nutritious  tapioca.  This  valley  abounds  in 
the  most  valuable  dye  - woods  and  timber.  Prof. 
Agassiz  counted  one  hundred  and  seventeen 
different  kinds  of  wood  within  an  area  of  half  a 


The  Rio  Negro • 


199 


mile  square,  many  of  them  eminently  fitted  for 
the  finest  cabinet  work.  The  beautiful  mahog- 
any, rosewood  and  Brazil  wood  are  found  in 
great  abundance,  and  are  put  to  the  commonest 
uses.  Here,  perhaps,  a negro  has  cut  down  a 
splendid  rose  - wood,  and  has  made  with  it  a rude 
fence  around  his  turtle  pond,  and  there  a lazy 
Indian  is  roasting  his  plantains  in  a fire  made  of 
mahogany.  On  the  upper  Xiio  Negro  grows  the 
tortoise  shell  wood,  considered  by  many  the  most 
beautiful  wood  in  the  world.  A recent  traveler 
remarks  that  ' enough  of  these  precious  woods  are 
wasted  annually  to  veneer  all  the  palaces  of 
Europe.’  ” 

" What  a fine  place  to  establish  a cabinet  - 
factory,”  remarked  Henry.  " When  I am  a man, 
I think  X will  go  into  the  business.  Just  think 
of  the  fine  furniture, — all  solid  rose -wood  or 
tortoise  - shell  wood  ; no  need  of  veneering  there.” 

Mrs.  White  laughed.  "I  think,”  she  said, 
" your  greatest  difficulty  would  be  the  want  of  a 


200 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


market.  The  taste  of  the  people  here  does  not 
demand  fine  furniture.  If  you  should  manufac- 
ture fish  - nets  and  hammocks  you  would  meet  a 
want  and  make  money.” 

" What  do  they  want  of  hammocks  ? ” asked 
Laura.  " I thought  they  used  hammocks  in 
ships  for  sailors  to  sleep  in.” 

" So  they  do,  and  here  everybody  sleeps  in 
them.  You  will  scarcely  find  a bed  in  the 
great  valley.  In  the  houses,  you  wfill  see 
hooks  in  the  walls  on  which  the  hammocks  are 
suspended  at  night;  and  in  the  warm,  sunny 
days,  you  will  see  hundreds  of  the  lazy  people 
swinging  in  hammocks  which  are  hung  between 
the  shady  trees. 

" We  must  not  forget  that  the  magnificent 
water  lily,  the  Victoria  Regia,  is  found  in  this 
region.  It  inhabits  the  tranquil  waters  of  the 
shallow  lakes  which  border  the  Amazon,  and  is 
probably  the  largest  flower  in  the  world.  The 
leaves  are  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  in  circumfer- 


The  IUo  Negro, 


201 


ence,  and  one  of  them  will  bear  you  up  on  the 
water  if  you  stand  in  the  middle  of  it.  The 
upper  side  of  these  leaves  is  a dark,  glossy 
green,  the  under  side  violet  or  crimson.  The 
flowers  are  a foot  in  diameter,  at  first  pure  ^hite ; 
they  pass,  in  twenty  - four  hours,  through  succes- 
sive hues  from  pink  to  bright  red.” 

" O mamma,”  said  Laura,  ” it  is  worth  a long 
journey  to  see  that  flower  ! ” 

"We  will  proceed  on  our  journey  down  the 
river,  which  grows  wider  and  deeper  as  it  receives 
its  great  tributaries  from  the  north  and  south. 
The  towns  on  its  shores  are  few  and  far  between, 
resembling,  in  their  general  character,  those 
which  we  have  observed.  One  thousand  miles 
from  Manaos,  we  reach  the  city  of  Para,  which 
is  seventy -five  miles  from  the  Atlantic.  This 
city  stands  on  the  Para  river,  one  of  the  mouths 
of  the  Amazon,  which  is,  at  this  place,  twenty 
miles  wide.  It  is  regularly  laid  out,  and  has 
some  fine  buildings  and  magnificent  avenues  of 


202 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


cocoa  palms  and  almond  trees.  Although  this 
city  is  little  more  than  one  degree  from  the 
equator,  it  enjoys  a salubrious  and  delightful 
climate.  The  heat  is  nearly  uniform  throughout 
the  year,  but  is  never  so  oppressive  as  in  our 
northern  summers.” 

" That  seems  strange  to  me,”  said  Henry.  w I 
have  always  supposed  that  the  heat  increased  as 
we  approached  the  equator.” 

" You  will  learn  that  climate  is  affected  by 
many  circumstances  besides  latitude.” 

” We  have  learned  many  things  about  this  in- 
teresting region  for  which  we  thank  you,”  he 
replied. 

" If  you  remember  what  you  have  learned,  and 
are  inspired  with  a desire  for  further  information, 
J shall  be  well  repaid.  You  must  recollect  that 
you  have  had  only  a hasty  and  imperfect  view  of 
a very  small  part  of  this  great  and  interesting 
continent.” 

" I think  I shall  see  it  sometime,”  he  said, 


The  Rio  Negro . 


203 


earnestly.  " I dream  about  the  glorious  mount- 
ains, and  the  vast,  untrodden  forests.  They 
interest  me  more  than  towns  or  cities.  I do  n’t 
want  to  die  before  I see  them.” 

"I,  too,  would  like  to  see  them,”  said  Laura; 
" but  I suppose  I never  shall.  Women  never  do 
travel  in  such  places.” 

" Your  case  is  not  quite  hopeless,  my  dear,” 
replied  the  mother.  A German  lady,  Madam 
Ida  Pfeiffer,  has  shown  us  that  it  is  not  impossible 
for  a woman  to  travel.  If  you  have  the  strength 
and  courage  which  she  possessed,  you  may  fol- 
low her  example,  climb  the  Andes,  and  behold  the 
grandest  of  the  terrestrial  works  of  God.” 

" I do  believe,”  she  answered,  blushing,  "that 
I want  to  see  the  humming  birds  and  butter- 
flies, the  flowers  and  the  trees,  more  than  the 
great,  cold  mountains  with  their  tops  in  the 
clouds.” 

Henry  looked  as  if  he  were  about  to  exclaim, 
■'  How  can  you  be  so  silly  ? ” but  the  mother 


204  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

replied,  with  a smile,—”  The  smallest  of  God’s 
works  are  no  less  worthy  of  admiration  than  the 
mightiest.  We  may  see  the  infinite  wisdom  of 
the  Creator  no  less  in  an  insect’s  win"1  than  in  the 

O 

terrible  volcano.  My  child  perceives  and  rejoic- 
es in  the  beauty  of  birds  and  flowers  ; when  she 
is  older,  she  will  comprehend  the  grandeur  of  the 
mountains.” 

” Pray*  mamma,  where  shall  we  go  next?  ” said 
Henry. 

” I am  only  your  guide,”  replied  the  mother, 
laughing.  ” You  may  determine  our  course. 
Shall  we  embark  on  one  of  the  steam-ships  which 
call  at  this  port  the  seventh  of  each  month, 
and  return  to  New  York?  The  voyage  will 
occupy  but  fourteen  days.  Or  shall  we  look  about 
here  in  the  great  empire  of  Brazil  ? ” 

” I am  not  ready  to  leave  South  America  yet,” 
he  said,  decidedly.  " If  there  are  no  great  mount- 
ains here  on  the  eastern  coast,  I am  sure  there 
must  be  something  to  interest  us.” 

O 


The  Iiio  Negro. 


205 


" Oh,  yes,”  cried  Laura;  " let  us  remain  by 
all  means.  I have  been  looking  at  the  map, 
and  here  is  a vast  country  of  which  I know 
just  nothing  at  all.  I want,  at  least,  a little  peep 
at  it.” 

" I am  quite  satisfied  with  your  decision,” 
replied  Mrs.  White ; " but  now  we  must  rest.” 


NINETEENTH  EVENING. 


EXTENT  OP  BRAZIL. 

AURA,”  said  Henry,  opening 
his  atlas,  "we  must  decide  where  we 
will  go  next.  I suppose  we  shall  not 
be  able  to  examine  every  part  of 


Brazil.” 

"I  fear,  my  children,”  the  mother  said,  "that 
you  have  a very  imperfect  idea  of  the  extent  of 
this  great  empire.  These  small  maps  are  apt  to 
give  you  wrong  impressions  if  you  do  not  reflect. 
Look  here  at  Brazil.  You  can  cover  it  with  your 
small  hand,  and  yet  it  has  an  area  of  nearly  three 
millions  of  square  miles.” 

"Ah,  mamma  ! ” Laura  exclaimed,  "you  were 


Extent  of  Brazil . 


207 


quite  right,  I did  not  comprehend  its  greatness.” 
" Perhaps  you  do  not  now,”  replied  Mrs. 
White.  " Let  us  examine  the  map,  and  calcu- 
late the  distances  you  must  travel  in  order  to 
visit  its  different  provinces.  Here,  in  the  center 
of  the  continent,  lies  the  province  of  Matto 
Grosso.  The  name  means  ' dense  forest,5  and 
is  very  properly  applied  to  a large  part  of  the 
vast  territory  which  contains  over  five  hundred 
thousand  square  miles.  The  distance  from  Para 
to  Villa  Bella,  one  of  the  principal  towns  of  this 
province,  is  one  thousand  miles  in  a direct  line  ; 
but,  in  order  to  visit  that  place,  we  should  be 
obliged  to  travel  two  thousand  five  hundred  miles, 
and  eight  or  ten  months  might  be  consumed  in 
the  journey.” 

" We  might  go  round  the  world  in  that  time,55 
said  Henry. 

"Very  true,  and  suffer  much  less  than  to  make 
this  journey.” 

" And  does  anybody  go  there  ? ” asked  Laura. 


208 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


Gh , yes , my  ‘ dear.  Mattb:  Gxbssq,  and  the 
adjoining  province,  of  Go.yaz , are- the  Jgold  and  dia- 
mond lands  of  Brazil ; and  you  may  sure  that, 
wherever  gold  and  diamonds  are  founds  men  will 
go.  It  was  the  lure  of  these  coveted  treasures 
<that;  led;  to  the  early  exploration  and  settlement  of 
these  remote  and  mountainous  . provinces.  - Beck- 
less adventurers \ .accompanied  by  their  negro  /and 
Indian  slaves,  plunged  fearlessly  into  these  bar- 
ren mountains,  and  interminable : fores  ts , and . found 
the;  El  Dorado  which ' Gojizalo  Pizarro  sought  in 
vain . Fabulous.  stories  are  told  of  their _ success . 
Gold,  it  is  said,  lay  on  the  very  surface:. of  the 
ground,  and  for  the  first  year,  each  slave  was  ex- 
pected to  return  three  or  four  ounces,  a day.” 

" That  was  a jolly  place  for  mining,”  exclaimed 
Henry.  "They  must. have  got  rich 'fast.”,". , 

" You  have  not  heard  the  whole  story,  my  child. 
These  adventurers’  seem.  to.  have  forgotten  that 
men  can  not  live  on  gold,  however  much  of  it 
they  may ' have.  The  time  when  gold  was  the 


A Brazilian  Forest.  I’agc  20S. 


Extent  of  Brazil . 


209 


most  plentiful,  was  a time  of  pestilence  and  fam- 
ine. A pound  of  gold  was  gladly  given  for  a 
bushel  of  wheat ; an  ounce  and  a half  of  gold  for 
a pound  of  beef ; and  many,  unable  to  find  food 
at  any  price,  died  of  starvation  in  the  midst  of 
their  treasures.  The  discoverer  of  this  rich  field, 
who  counted  his  gold  by  hundreds  of  pounds, 
died  of  leprosy.” 

w Is  gold  so  plentiful  there  now  ? ” inquired 
Laura. 

" Not  so  plentiful,  yet  there  are  rich  mines  in 
these  provinces  as  well  as  in  Minas  Geraes.  The 
mineral  wealth  of  the  empire  seems  inexhaustible, 
but  the  march  of  improvement  is  slow,  and  th£- 
day  does  not  appear  to  be  very  near  when  this 
great  region  will  be  either  populous  or  highly  en- 
lightened. 

” There  is  much  fertile  soil  in  this  region,  &nd 
all  the  fruits  and  productions  of  a warm  climate 
might  abound,  but  there  is  very  little  cultivation. 
The  cattle  proprietors  are  the  highest  class  here. 


210 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


These  men  own  large  tracts  of  land  and  vast 
herds  of  cattle.  They  understand  the  use  of  the 
lasso  and  the  knife,  but  their  moral  and  intel- 
lectual condition  is  very  low.  A traveler  re- 
marks, that  ' people  who  become  domesticated  in 
these  vast  wilds,  lose  the  very  elements  of  civili- 
zation, and  fall,  in  some  cases,  even  below  the 
Indians.’ 

" Gold,  precious  stones,  and  ipecacuanha  are 
the  principal  articles  of  export  from  these  interior 
provinces,  and  they  are  carried  on  the  backs  of 
mules  over  the  mountains  to  Rio  de  Janeiro,  or 
they  are  brought  down  the  Madeira,  the  Tapajos, 
or  the  Tocontius,  and  find  a market  at  Para.” 

"I  suppose  we  shall  not  go  to  Matto  Grosso,” 
said  Laura.  "If  it  is  such  a terrible  journey,  we 
must  content  ourselves  with  what  mamma  tells  us 
about  it.” 

" And  is  there  nothing  in  this  great  country  but 
the  forests,  the  mines,  and  the  cattle?”  inquired 
Henry. 


Extent  of  Brazil. 


211 


" There  are  a great  many  things  of  which  I 
have  not  time  to  tell  you,  but  I must  not  forget 
to  mention  that  there  are  some  wonderful  cata- 
racts, and  some  very  deep  and  curious  caverns. 
One  of  these  caverns  is  called  Gruta  das  Oncas, 
or  the  cavern  of  wild  beasts,  from  the  great  num- 
ber of  beasts  which  are  accustomed  to  find  shel- 
ter in  it ; and  another  is  called  Gruta  da  Inferno, 
or  grotto  of  hell,  because  it  is  such  a strange  and 
wicked  looking  place.  The  American  ostrich, 
which  is  much  smaller  than  the  African  species, 
is  found  upon  the  grassy  pampas  ; macaws,  par- 
rots and  parroquets  swarm  in  the  dense  forests  ; 
and  the  scarlet  ibis  and  the  American  flamingo 
inhabit  the  borders  of  lakes  and  streams.  Here 
is  a vast  territory  of  Unoccupied  soil,  waiting  for 
the  hand  of  man  to  develop  its  inexhaustible  re- 
sources ; but  here  in  Brazil,  as  everywhere  in 
South  America,  we  see  the  blight  which  the 
Catholic  religion  brings  upon  a nation.  With  a 
free  pible,  free  schools,  and  a free,  strong  gov-. 


212  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

eminent,  this  country  would  be  one  of  the  great- 
est and  fairest  on  the  earth  ; but  ignorance,  big- 
otry and  sin  would  make  men  wretched  even  in 
the  very  bowers  of  Eden.  Brazil  is,  however,  the 
best  governed  and  the  most  flourishing  state  in 
South  America,  and  has,  within  a few  years,  made 
rapid  progress  in  civilization.” 

" Now,  mamma,”  said  Henry,  intently  study- 
ing his  map,  " as  we  are  not  going  to  explore  the 
forests  and  mountains  of  the  interior,  I think  we 
had  better  proceed  along  the  coast,  and  observe 
the  cities  and  villages.” 

"Very  well;  we  can  avail  ourselves  of  the 
steamboats  which  ply  between  this  city  and  Rio  de 
Janeiro,  and  which  will  accommodate  us,  as  they 
stop  at  the  principal  sea  - ports  along  the  coast. 
Leaving  our  hotel,  we  pass  down  the  street,  which 
is  beautifully  shaded  with  the  magnificent  silk 
cotton  trees.  We  have  to  make  our  way  through 
a motley  and  strange  crowd.  Here  are  Spaniards, 
Portuguese,  Indians,  Negroes,  and  every  shade  of 


Extent  of  Brazil . 


213 


mixed  blood,  with  a few  English,  Germans, 
French  and  North  Americans,  and  we  hear  the 
mingled  dialects  of  the  Amazon  and  Europe. 
The  Negro  girls  who  go  about  the  streets  with 
trays  of  sweetmeats  on  their  heads,  look  pretty 
in  their  clean,  white  dresses  and  gay  ornaments. 

" The  steamboat  in  which  we  have  taken  passage 
pushes  off  into  the  great  river,  and  we  have  a 
magnificent  view  of  the  city  as  we  leave  it.  The 
towering  spires  and  cupolas,  the  palatial  govern- 
ment buildings,  and  the  pretty  white  villas,  half 
concealed  in  the  verdure  of  evergreen  trees,  make 
a pleasant  picture,  which  we  shall  not  forget.  If 
our  voyage  happens  at  the  time  of  spring -tide, 
we  shall  have  the  opportunity  of  observing  a very 
singular  phenomenon.55 

" Pray,  mamma,  what  is  spring  - tide  ? 55  said 
Laura. 

" It  is  the  tide  which  happens  at,  or  very  soon 
after,  the  change  or  full  of  the  moon.  These 
tides  are  everywhere  higher  than  usual  tides,  and 


214  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

at  the  mouth  of  the  Amazon,* the  ocean  throws 
itself  upon  the  river  with  terrific  force.  You 
hear  the  noise  of  the  coming  flood  when  it  is 
miles  away  ; but  it  approaches  with  such  fearful 
rapidity  that  in  a few  moments  you  see  the  great 
waves,  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  high,  extending 
across  the  whole  channel,  sweeping  one  after 
another  up  the  stream.” 

"I  should  not  like  to  meet  such  waves,”  said 
Laura.  " I think  they  must  be  dangerous.” 

"So  they  are  to  small  vessels,  but  those  who 
navigate  the  river  know  when  to  expect  them, 
and  lay  to  in  the  little  bays  where  the  water  is 
quiet,  till  they  pass.” 

" While  we  go  down  the  river,”  said  Henry, 
" please  tell  us  something  of  the  early  history  of 
this  region.” 

" I hope  you  remember  who  discovered  the 
Amazon  ? ” 

" Oh,  yes,  we  have  not  forgotten  the  treacher- 
ous Orellana,”  exclaimed  Laura.  "I  do  hope 


Extent  of  Brazil . 


215 


that  the  men  who  discovered  and  explored  this 
eastern  coast  were  not  so  wicked  as  Pizarro  and 
his  associates.5’ 

" I am  not  sure  that  they  were  any  better,  my 
dear.  Their  exploits  were  not  so  extraordinary, 
and  they  do  not  occupy  so  conspicuous  a place  in 
history,  but  their  record  is  stained  with  the  same 
treacherous  cruelty. 

" You  must  remember  that  Columbus,  in  his  third 
voyage  to  America,  discovered  this  continent  near 
the  mouth  of  the  river  Oronoco.  This  occurred 
in  the  year  1498.  Two  years  later,  Vincent 
Yanez  Pinzon,  an  associate  of  Columbus,  who 
commanded  the  Nina  in  his  first  voyage  of  dis- 
covery, obtained  permission  of  the  Spanish  govern- 
ment to  go  in  search  of  new  lands,  fitted  out  four 
small  ships,  and,  sailing  south  - west,  crossed  the 
equator,  and  made  a point  of  land  which  they 
named  Cape  Consolation,  but  which  you  will  find 
on  the  map  as  Cape  St.  Augustine.  Following 
the  coast  to  the  north  - west,  they  landed  on  the 


216  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

island  of  Maranham,  where  the  city  of  that  name 
now  stands.  The  unsuspicious  natives  received 
them  with  the  utmost  kindness,  and  they,  in  re- 
turn for  their  hospitality,  seized  thirty  of  these 
unoffending  people,  and  carried  them  away  and 
sold  them  as  slaves.  Pinzon  took  possession  of 
the  county  for  the  crown  of  Castile,  but  some 
Portuguese  had  discovered  it  about  the  same  time, 
and  the  Pope,  who  assumed  the  right  of  giving 
away  this  new  world,  decided  that  it  should  be- 
long to  Portugal.  In  1530,  a great  expedition 
was  fitted  out  to  take  possession  of  the  coast  and 
establish  a colony  at  Maranham.  Ten  ships,  car- 
rying nine  hundred  men,  one  hundred  and  thirty 
of  whom  were  horsemen,  arrived  off  the  mouth 
of  the  river ; but  the  elements  avenged  the  out- 
raged natives.  A great  storm  arose,  and  the 
whole  fleet  was  * wrecked.  A few  escaped  the 
waves  to  suffer  a more  cruel  death,  for  the  In- 
dians, remembering  the  treachery  of  Pinzon, 
showed  them  no  mercy.  Two  other  expeditions, 


Extent  of  Brazil . 


217 


fitted  out  for  the  same  purpose,  perished  in  the 
same  way  on  this  fatal  coast.  The  first  settle- 
ment was  made  by  the  French  in  1612,  but  a few 
years  later  they  were  driven  out  by  the  Portu- 
guese. 

"In  1616,  Francisco  Caldeira  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  the  city  of  Para.  It  would  not  interest 
you  to  hear  of  the  seditions,  massacres,  and  rev- 
olutions which  make  up  the  history  of  this  region, 
with  the  exception  of  the  last  thirty  years.  There 
was  only  one  thing  in  which  all  parties  seems  to 
have  agreed,  and  that  was  in  oppresing  the  poor 
natives,  who  found  no  escape  from  their  cruelties 
except  ii^  death.  The  Indians  were  not  enough 
to  satisfy  the  avarice  of  these  people,  and  great 
numbers  of  African  slaves  were  brought  into  the 
country.  This  fair  land  has  been  the  scene  of 
such  atrocious  crimes  that  we  wonder  at  the  long- 
suffering  and  patience  of  God.” 


TWENTIETH  EVENING. 


MISCELLANEOUS  INFORMATION. 

HE  city  of  Mar anh  am  is  four  hun- 
dred miles  from  Para  by  water,  and  as 
the  steamboat  stops  here  to  take  passen- 
gers and  freight,  we  may  look  around  a 
few  minutes.  This  city  is  second  only  to  the 
capital  in  wealth  and  population,  though  it  has 
been  several  times  almost  destroyed  in  the  fierce 
and  bloody  revolutions  which  have  swept  over  the 
country.  It  is  surrounded  by  a region  of  unsur- 
passed fertility.  Rice,  cotton,  coffee  and  sugar- 
cane grow  luxuriantly,  and  the  fruits  are  rich  and 
abundant.  The  forests,  like  those  of  the  Amazon, 
abound  in  precious  woods  and  valuable  medi- 


Miscellaneous  Information . 219 

cines.  The  mineral  wealth  seems  inexhaustible. 
Fish  abound  in  the  waters,  and  domestic  animals 
multiply  rapidly  on  the  plantations.  The  city 
contains  some  fine  buildings  and  handsome, 
shaded  streets,  where  it  would  be  pleasant  to 
linger,  but  the  boat  will  not  wait  for  us,  and  we 
will  go  on  to  Pernambuco. 

" The  appearance  of  this  city,  when  seen  from 
the  water,  is  peculiar.  The  site  is  so  low  and 
flat  that  the  tall  white  buildings  seem  to  rise  out 
of  the  sea,  and  lift  their  heads  so  high  as  to  pre- 
vent an  extended  view  of  the  town  ; while  to  the 
north,  the  beautiful  town  of  Olinda,  located  on  a 
bold  and  picturesque  hill,  and  half  hidden  in  its 
groves  of  lofty  palms,  appears  in  full  view.  This 
city,  like  Para  andMaranham,  has  been  the  scene 
of  cruel  oppression,  and  bloody  civil  strife. 
Sometimes  the  oppressed  Negroes  and  Indians 
have,  in  their  despair,  made  desperate  struggles 
for  freedom,  and  inflicted  terrible  calamities  on 
their  oppressors.  I must  tell  you  of  the  romantic 


220  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

little  republic  of  Palmares,  which  was  located  in 
this  region,  and  connected  with  the  history  of  this 
city.  The  story  will  perhaps  remind  you  of 
events  which  have  occurred  in  our  own.  country. 

” As  early  as  1640,  some  African  slaves, 
escaping  from  their  masters  at  Pernambuco, 
plunged  into  the  pathless  forest,  and,  after  wan- 
dering sixty  or  seventy  miles,  found  a spot  blessed 
with  every  natural  advantage  for  subsistence  and 
defense,  where  they  made  their  homes.  This 
refuge  soon  became  known  to  the  slaves  of  the 
surrounding  regions,  and  a great  many,  escaping 
from  servitude,  flocked  to  it,  so  that,  in  1690,  the 
little  republic  numbered  more  than  twenty  thou- 
sand persons.  The  only  history  which  we  have 
of  this  singular  community  comes  to  us  from 
the  people  who  exterminated  them,  but  it  is  such 
that  we  can  not  peruse  it  without  respect  for 
their  character  and  pity  for  their  fate. 

" They  were  under  the  government  of  an  elec- 
tive chief,  who  was  chosen  for  his  wisdom  and 


Miscellaneous  In formation . 


221 


valor 5 and  to  whom  they  rendered  the  most 
perfect  loyalty.  It  is  said  that  no  conspiracies  or 
struggles  for  power  were  ever  known  among 
them.” 

" I think  they  showed  more  wisdom  than  their 
white  neighbors,  who  were  always  fighting  among 
themselves,”  said  Henry. 

" So  they  did ; and  they  were  an  industrious 
and  provident  people.  They  cultivated  the  fruit- 
ful soil  with  great  diligence,  and  food  was  always 
abundant  among  them.  They  enclosed  an  area 
of  four  or  five  square  miles  with  a double  palisade 
made  of  heavy  timber.  This  fortification,  which 
was  strengthened  with  many  bulwarks,  had  three 
gates  placed  at  equal  distances  from  each  other. 
These  gates  were  defended  by  towers  and  always 
guarded  by  vigilant  soldiers.  Within  this  wall 
was  a small  lake  and  a stream  of  running  water, 
and  here  they  built  their  houses  and  cultivated 
their  beautiful  gardens.  The  place  received  the 
name  of  Palmares,  from  the  number  of  palm 


222 


Evenings  with  the  Children . 


groves  which  they  had  planted,  and  which  were 
still  flourishing.” 

" It  must  have  been  a very  nice  place,”  said 
Laura. 

"Yes,  my  dear,  and  they  seem  to  have  been  a 
very  happy  people.  Twice  in  the  year  they 
gathered  their  corn,  and  celebrated  the  harvest 
with  a week’s  festivity.  But  you  must  remember 
that  they  lived  in  a state  of  constant  war  with  the 
white  Colonists,  whose  slaves  they  had  been.  For 
a long  time  they  had  the  better  in  this  war. 
Their  enemies  hunted  them  with  little  success  in 
the  deep  forest  in  which  they  were  hidden,  while 
they  were  able  to  sally  forth  and  plunder  the 
colonists  with  little  danger  to  themselves.  The 
memory  of  their  wrongs  made  them  merciless, 
and,  as  they  increased  in  number  and  audacity, 
they  became  the  terror  of  the  country. 

"The  Portuguese,  after  suffering  sorely  from 
their  depredations,  resolved  in  1695,  to  exterminate 
them  at  whatever  cost.  For  this  purpose  they 


Miscellaneous  Information . 


223 


raised  an  army  of  no  less  than  ten  thousand 
men,  who  made  their  way  through  the  intricate 
forests  and  encamped  before  the  negro  fortifica- 
tions. Then  commenced  a war  as  desperate  as 
has  ever  been  waged.  The  Negroes,  who  ex- 
pected no  mercy,  fought  with  the  energy  of  de- 
spair and  successfully  resisted  the  attacks  of  their 
enemies.  But  famine  is  a foe  which  the  bravest 
can  not  resist.  In  a few  weeks  their  food,  as 
well  as  their  ammunition,  was  exhausted,  and  the 
Portuguese,  assisted  by  artillery  which  had  been 
sent  to  them*  forced  their  way  into  their  town. 
Zombi,  the  chief,  and  the  most  determined  of  his 
followers  retired  to  the  summit  of  a great  rock 
which  had  been  used  by  them  as  a watch  - tower, 
and,  preferring  death  to  slavery,  threw  themselves 
from  the  precipice.  The  town  was  utterly  de- 
stroyed, and  the  unhappy  survivors  were  seized  as- 
slaves.  The  women  and  children  were  kept  at 
Pernambuco,  and  the  men  were  scattered  abroad 
so  that  they  might  never  be  able  to  unite  in  any 


224  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

plan  for  the  recovery  of  their  freedom  and  a return 
to  their  old  home.” 

" Oh,  what  a sad  story  ! ” said  Laura,  with 
tears  of  pity  moistening  her  eyes. 

" It  is  a sad  story,  and  still  touches  our  hearts, 
though  this  little  republic  in  the  wilderness  passed 
away  so  many  years  ago,  and  is  almost  forgotten 
in  the  very  spot  where  it  existed.  It  teaches  us 
how  strong  the  love  of  freedom  is  in  the  heart  of 
man.  We  sympathize  with  these  poor  fugitives 
in  their  love  of  their  forest  home,  and  in  their 
brave  but  ineffectual  struggle  to  retain  their 
liberty. 

"We  will  now  return  to  Pernambuco.  We 
shall  get  the  best  view  of  the  city  and  surround- 
ing country  by  ascending  the  hights  of  Olinda. 
From  this  point,  as  from  a watch  - tower,  we  may 
look  out  on  the  wide  ocean  and  observe  the 
crested  waves  which  break  on  the  reef  that  en- 
circles the  harbor,  or  dash  on  the  sandy  beach. 
How  lovely  the  city  looks  half  buried  in  its  groves 


Miscellaneous  Information . 


225 


of  palm  and  cashew  trees  ? These  wonderful  trees 
never  weary  us  with  their  beauty. 5 5 

" I think  we  have  not  met  with  the  cashew  tree 
before/5  said  Henry. 

" The  soil  here  and  on  the  islands  along  the 
coast  is  sandy,  and  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  the 
growth  of  this  tree,  which  a popular  writer  of  this 
country  has  pronounced  the  finest  of  American 
trees.  The  size  is  majestic,  its  leaves  have  an 
aromatic  odor,  its  white  and  rosy  tinted  blossoms 
are  beautiful  as  well  as  exquisitely  fragrant,  and 
its  shade  is  deep  and  delightful.  A gum  exudes 
from  its  trunk  equal  in  value  to  the  Senegal,  and 
in  such  abundance  as  to  have  the  appearance  of 
rain -drops.  The  fruit,  somewhat  resembling  a 
pear  in  shape,  is  full  of  delicious  juice.” 

" I can  not  help  wishing,55  said  Laura,  " that 
these  beautiful  South  American  trees  would  grow 
in  our  own  country.55 

" You  must  not  forget,  my  dear,  that  God  has 
distributed  his  abundant  gifts  with  infinite  wis- 


226  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

dom  and  goodness.  In  every  part  of  the  earth, 
he  makes  those  fruits  grow  which  are  best 
adapted  to  man  in  that  particular  climate.  While 
you  observe  how  much  he  bestows  on  this  trop- 
ical region,  remember  also  his  good  gifts  to  us. 
If  we  do  not  have  the  cashew,  the  cocoa-nut, 
and  the  pine -apple,  we  have  the  apple,  the 
peach  and  strawberry.  Let  us  be  thankful  and 
contented. 

"From  Pernambuco  our  steamboat  steers  south- 
west, sometimes  touching  at  the  small  but  beau- 
tiful towns  on  the  coast,- — I say  beautiful  towns, 
but  they  owe  their  beauty  to  nature  more  than  to 
man.  Viewed  from  a distance,  the  vegetable 
growth  covers  all  defects,  and  even  the  little 
palm  - thatched  cottages  look  inviting  amid  their 
leafy  bowers.  Look  on  your  map.  You  see 
we  must  pass  the  mouth  of  the  San  Francisco, 
the  largest  river  emptying  into  the  Atlantic,  be- 
tween the  Amazon  and  Rio  de  la  Plata.  I will 
tell  you  something  of  this  river  if  you  will  try  to 


Miscellaneous  Information . 227 

*• 

remember.  It  is  an  item  of  which  a geographer 
and  tourist  should  not  be  ignorant.” 

" Oh,  yes,  mamma,  please  do,”  cried  Henry. 

" Seventy  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  San 
Francisco  there  is  a cataract,  called  the  Falls  of 
Paulo  Affonso,  which  is  described  as  one  of  the 
most  wonderful  in  the  world.  The  vapor  arising 
from  the  falls  is  seen  at  a great  distance,  and 
looks  like  the  smoke  of  a great  conflagration  in 
the  midst  of  the  forest.  From  this  point  to  the 
ocean,  the  stream  dashes  over  a succession  of  rap- 
ids which  prevent  all  navigation.  Above  the 
cataract  the  river  is  navigable  a thousand  miles, 
and  the  country  is  so  flat  that  it  often  overflows 
its  banks  for  leagues  on  either  side.” 

" I shall  remember  this,”  Henry  said,  intently 
examining  his  map,  "and  sometime  I will  visit 
the  Falls  of  Paulo  Affonso,  and  bring  you  back  a 
description  of  its  wonders.  Oh,  would  n’t  it  be 
jolly,  mamma?  ” 

" Indeed  it  will,”  she  replied,  laughing,  " and  I 


228  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

*■ 

shall  be  proud  of  my  son  when  he  is  a famous 
traveler.  You  see  we  are  approaching  the  city 
of  Bahia,  and  we  must  take  a look  at  it.  The  Bay 
of  All  Saints,  on  which  the  city  stands,  was  dis- 
covered in  1503,  by  Americus  Yespucius,  who 
was  sailing  under  the  patronage  of  the  King  of 
Portugal.  He  carried  home  a cargo  of  dye-wood, 
which,  when  cut  in  pieces,  from  its  flaming  red 
color,  the  Portuguese  call  brazas , meaning  coals 
of  fire.  The  wood  was  called  Brazil  wood,  and 
finally  the  country  from  whence  it  came  was 
named  Brazil.  The  story  of  the  first  European 
who  settled  here  is  so  romantic  that  I must  tell 
it  to  you.  In  1510,  a vessel  was  wrecked  at  the 
entrance  of  this  bay.  The  savage  Indians  who 
inhabited  the  coast  fell  on  those  who  escaped  to 
the  shore  and  destroyed  all  except  the  captain, 
whose  name  was  Diogo  Alvares  Correa.  He  had 
the  good  fortune  to  recover  a musket,  and  some- 
powder  and  balls,  from  the  wreck,  and,  displaying 
the  power  of  that  little  weapon,  he  awed  the  sav- 


Miscellaneous  Information . 229 

ages,  who  called  him  Caramura , the  man  of  fire. 
By  assuring  them  of  his  friendly  and  peaceful  in- 
tentions he  soon  acquired  a perfect  ascendency 
over  them.  He  married  Paraguassa,  the  daugh- 
ter of  the  great  chief,  Itaparica.  The  large 
island  of  Itaparica,  opposite  the  city,  perpetuates 
the  name  of  this  chief,  and  a small  river  emptying 
into  the  bay  bears  the  name  of  his  daughter. 

" Diogo  formed  a settlement  where  the  city  now 
stands,  and  lived  very  happily  with  his  savage 
friends.  After  the  lapse  of  several  years,  a French 
vessel  anchored  in  front  of  his  town,  and  he, 
having  loaded  the  ship  with  Brazil  wood  and  na- 
tive fruits,  embarked  with  his  wife  for  Dieppe. 
From  that  port  they  went  to  Paris,  where  the 
people  made  a great  parade  over  them,  and  Para- 
guassa was  baptized,  the  king,  Henry  II.,  offici- 
ating as  god-father. 

" After  a short  period  they  returned  to  their 
home  in  this  place,  and  here  Diogo  lived  to  old 
age,  beloved  by  the  natives  and  respected  by  his 


230  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

own  countrymen.  But  here  we  are  in  the  bay, 
where,  three  hundred  and  sixty  years  ago,  the 
brave  captain  was  thrown  ashore,  and  the  beau- 
tiful city  is  before  us.  The  city,  rising  from  the 
shore  on  a succession  of  hills,  sits  like  a queen 
amid  her  palm  and  orange  bowers.  Nothing  can 
be  more  lovely  than*  the  view,  either  from  the 
water  or  from  the  hights  above  the  town  ; but  if 
we  enter  it,  we  shall  miss  the  thrift  and  enter- 
prise of  our  own  cities,  and  sigh  at  the  idleness, 
ignorance  and  superstition  of  the  people  who  are 
nearly  all  Catholics.  The  distinguished  mission- 
ary, Henry  Martyn,  touched  at  this  port  on  his 
way  to  India,  seventy  years  ago,  and  wrote  of 
it, — ' Crosses  there  are  in  abundance,  but  when 
shall  the  doctrine  of  the  Cross  be  held  up  ? 9 

" Now  examine  your  map.  Here  is  the  city  of 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  which  is  eight  hundred  miles  from 
Bahia.  Fifty  years  ago,  Prince  Maximilian 
made  the  journey  between  these  cities  by  land. 
It  is  difficult  to  form  an  idea  of  the  dangers  of 


Miscellaneous  Information . 


231 


the  journey  at  that  time,  from  the  dense  and 
thorny  vegetation,  the  wild  beasts,  the  insects  and 
reptiles,  and  the  unbridged  streams.  He  wrote 
the  first  description  of  the  scenery  and  people  of 
this  region,  and  says  of  his  journey,  ' although 
scratched  and  maimed  by  thorns,  soaked  by  rains, 
and  exhausted  by  the  heat,  yet  nevertheless  the 
traveler  is  transported  in  view  of  the  magnifi- 
cent vegetation.5  ” 

" I suppose  it  is  better  now,”  said  Henry. 
w Fifty  years  is  long  enough  to  make  great  im- 
provements in  a new  country.” 

"True,  my  child,  and  fifty  years  is  long  enough 
to  do  a great  deal ; but  here  it  takes  several  cen- 
turies to  accomplish  as  much  as  we  do  in  that 
time  in  our  own  land.  You  must  remember, 
settlements  were  made  here  by  the  Portuguese 
nearly  a hundred  years  before  the  Pilgrims 
landed  in  Massachusetts,  and  yet  there  is  not  a 
large  town  in  all  this  eight  hundred  miles  be- 
tween Bahia  and  Rio  de  Janeiro.  During  the 


232  Evenings  with  the  Children . 

last  thirty  years,  however,  Brazil  has  been  free 
from  those  fierce  and  bloody  revolutions* which  are 
the  ruin  of  the  South  American  republics,  and 
her  progress  in  all  that  makes  a nation  great,  has 
been  much  more  rapid  than  in  any  previous  pe- 
riod of  her  history. 

" We  make  the  voyage  from  Bahia  to  Rio  de 
Janeiro  in  four  or  five  days,  and  now  here  we  are 
in  the  beautiful  capital  of  this  great  and  magnifi- 
cent empire.  Since  we  entered  Brazil  at  Tahatinga 
on  the  Amazon,  we  have  -traveled  about  five  thou- 
sand miles,  and  yet  we  have  not  compassed  two 
sides  of  the  great  triangular  territory. 

M Rio  de  Janeiro  is  the  largest  city  in  South 
America,  and  one  of  the  most  beautiful  in  the 
world,  as  it  is  seen  by  the  approaching  traveler. 
As  the  steamboat  nears  the  town,  we  lift  our  eyes 
towards  the  north,  and  behold  the  magnificent 
bay,  dotted  with  verdant  islands  and  hemmed  in 
by  lofty  mountain  peaks,  and  the  city, — 'beauti- 
ful for  situation,’ — beautiful  with  its  royal  palace 


Miscellaneous  Information.  233 

and  splendid  government  buildings,  and  most  of 
all  beautiful  with  its  evergreen  groves, — lies  be- 
fore us.  The  land  breeze  brings  the  fragrance  of 
orange  blossoms  and  the  delicious  aroma  of  lime 
trees,  and  we  feel  that  this  must  be  the  fairy  land 
of  which  we  have  dreamed.  We  land,  and  the 
illusion  vanishes.  Here,  as  in  every  city,  are  the 
good  and  evil ; here  are  the  rich  who  dwell  at  ease, 
and  the  poor  and  vile  who  stretch  out  their 
hands  to  us  for  charity. 

" If  we  have  time  to  look  about,  we  shall  find 
some  American  and  English  missionaries  who  are 
laboring  zealously,  and  with  some  success,  to  in- 
troduce the  Bible  among  the  Catholic  population. 
If  the  time  ever  comes  when  the  Word  of  God 
shall  be  disseminated  throughout  this  land,  and 
its  holy  truths  shall  have  vitalized  and  reformed 
the  stagnant  and  corrupt  masses,  Brazil  will  be  a 
most  inviting  and  prosperous  realm. 

"Here,  my  dear  children,  our  journey  must 
terminate,  but  I hope  you  have  learned  enough 


.234  Evenings  with  the  Children. 

about  this  great  continent  to  awaken  your  interest 
and  make  you  anxious  to  know  more.  So  we 
will  bid  adieu  to  South  America,  keeping  in  our 
hearts  pleasant  memories  of  its  mighty  mountains 
and  rivers,  its  evergreen  forests  and  palmy 


towns. 


Choice  Illustrated  Books  for  Girls . 


FIRESIDE  ANGEL.  By  T.  S.  Arthur.  Price,  75  cents.  The  story 

of  Lilly,  a “household  angel,”  to  which  are  added  other  choice  stories.  i8mo. 
10  illustrations. 


GRACE’S  VISIT.  By  Mrs.  M.  E.  Bradley.  Price,  80  cents.  i6mo. 

4 illustrations. 

ALICE  BENSON’S  TRIALS.  Price,  75  cents.  Reprint  from 

London  Religious  Tract  Society.  i8mo.  Illustrated. 


MAY  BELL.  Price,  $i  .50.  Gives  us  a vivid  picture  of  the  mischiefs 

wrought  by  the  cup  and  the  gaming  table,  and  of  the  rare,  beautiful,  and  triumphant 
devotion  of  a young  girl  to  the  work  appointed  her  by  filial  love  and  Christian  faith. 
($500  Prize  Series.)  i6mo.  Illustrated. 


SUNNY  SKIES;  or,  Adventures  in  Italy.  By  Barbara  H Chan- 

ning.  Price,  $1.25.  i6mo.  6 full-page  illustrations. 


STARLIGHT  STORIES,  price  , 75  cents.  Comprising  half-a-dozen 

very  pleasant,  instructive,  and  well-written  tales,  painting  its  subjects  as  t{iey  are 
found  in  actual  life,  and  teaching  and  impressing  the  best  lessons.  It  is  sure  to  be 
popular,  as  it  deserves  to  be.  i8mo.  Illustrated. 


NETTIE  NESMiTH  ; or,  the  Bad  Girl.  By  Sophia  Homespun. 

Price,  $1.00.  i6mo.  Illustrated. 


RUTHIE  SHAW;  or,  the  Good  Girl.  By  Sophia  Homespun. 

Price,  $1.00.  i6mo.  Illustrated. 


Boston:  D.  Lothrop  &>  Co.,  38  a?id  40  CornhilL 


Choice  Illustrated  Works  for  Boys. 


SHINING  HOURS.  Price,  $1  .50.  Willie,  a noble,  straight-for- 

ward, manly  fellow,  and  his  gentle,  matter-of-fact  sister  Edith,  being  left  orphans 
to  the  care  of  a plausible  but  dishonest  guardian,  who  deceives  and  robs  them, 
maintain  a Christian  spirit,  continuing  to  be  happy  in  spite  of  poverty  and  wrong, 
learning  much  wisdom  and  doing  much  good  until  prosperity  returns  to  them. 
The  story  introduces  a variety  of  characters,  and  leads  through  many  adventures  at 
home,  at  school,  at  college,  and  among  the  wild  scenes  of  a hunter’s  life. 

MASTER  AND  PUPIL.  Price,  $1  .50.  An  admirably  told  story 

of  school  life.  1 1 goes  straight  to  the  heart,  and  makes  religious  character  very  lovely, 

ARCHIBALD  HAMILTON.  Price,  $1.25.  A story  of  thrilling 

interest,  teaching  the  grace  of  charity  and  virtue  of  forgiveness  in  most  tender  and 
forcible  lessons. 

JOHNNY  JONES;  or,  the  Bad  Boy.  Price,  $1.00.  A book  of 

thrilling  interest.  All  the  boys  will  want  it.  i6mo.  Illustrations  by  Billings. 

BLUE-EYED  JIMMY;  or,  the  Good  Boy.  Price,  $1. 00.  Illus- 

trations by  Billings. 

THE  RAINY  DAY  AT  HOME.  Price,  75  cents.  With  ten 

beautiful  illustrations. 

LITTLE  BEN  HADDEN;  or,  Do  Right,  whatever  comes  of  it. 

By  W.  H.  G.  Kingston.  A Story  of  the  Sea.  i6mo.  Illustrated.  Price,  $ 1.2 5. 

WONDERS  OF  CREATION.  Price,  75  cents.-  Embracing  Vol- 

canoes and  their  phenomena.  Twenty-five  full-page  illustrations,  on  tinted  paper. 

THE  WONDERS  OF  NATURE.  Price,  75  cents.  Mammoth 

Cave,  Dead  Sea,  High  Mountains,  Great  Deserts,  &c.,  with  twenty-two  illustrations. 

WONDERS  OF  VEGETATION.  Price,  75  cents.  Describing 

the  remarkable  characteristics  of  some  famous  trees  and  singular  plants.  With  16 
full-page  illustrations. 

WONDERS  IN  MANY  LANDS.  Price,  75  cents.  Remarkable 

Rapids,  Cascades,  Waterfalls,  Icebergs,  Glaciers,  Fountains,  Natural  Bridges,  &c. 
Illustrated. 

WILLIE  MAITLAND;  or,  the  Lords  Prayer  Illustrated,  price, 

55  cents. 

WHEN  WE  WERE  YOUNG.  Price,  55  cents.  By  the  Author 

of  “A  Trap  to  catch  a Sunbeam.”  i8mo.  Illustrated. 


Boston : B.  Lothrop  Co 38  and  40  CornhilL 


Choice  Illustrated  Books  for  Children. 


CHILD  LIFE  IN  MANY  LANDS.  By  Rev.  J.  D.  Strong. 

Price,  $1.00.  A new  and  exceedingly  interesting  and  a very  instructive  work,  in 
which  a large  amount  of  information  respecting  many  out-of-the-way  portions  of  the 
globe  is  pleasantly  mixed  with  pictures  of  juvenile  character  and  experience,  and 
the  most  wholesome  Christian  counsel.  i6mo.  Finely  illustrated. 

BRIGHT  DAYS.  By  Mary  Howitt.  Price,  $1.25.  Four  full-page 

illustrations.  A book  often  sought  after,  but  seldom  found.  Looking  at  things  in 
a child’s  point  of  view.  i6mo. 

BIRTHDAY  PRESENT.  By  Mary  Latham  Clark.  Embraces 

twenty  distinct  tales,  each  of  which  has  a good  moral  — not  at  the  end,  but  all  the 
way  through.  i8mo.  Illustrated.  Price,  75  cents. 

BROTHER  AND  SISTER.  Brice  , 75  cents.  “ Brother  and  Sister” 

exhibits  the  struggles,  trials,  and  triumphs  of  an  orphaned  boy  and  girl,  who  battled 
bravely  with  hardship,  kept  their  faith  in  God,  and  gained  wisdom  and  strength 
through  their  trials.  The  little  volume  will  do  good.  i8mo.  Illustrated. 

NEW  YEAR,  AND  OTHER  STORIES.  By  Mrs.  M.  D.  Strong. 

Price,  75  cents.  Five  full-page  illustrations  on  tinted  paper.  i8mo. 

PICTURES  FOR  THE  YOUNG.  By  Mary  Howitt.  Brice, 

$ 1.2 5.  Large  square  quarto,  with  twenty  full-page  illustrations.  Bevelled  boards, 
gilt  sides. 

“WHO  IS  MY  NEIGHBOR?  Price,  55  cents.  The  parable 

of  the  Good  Samaritan  is  truthfully  drawn,  and  in  such  a way  as  to  enchain  and 
hold  the  attention  of  the  reader.  iSmo.  Illustrated. 

SCHOOL  LIFE  STORIES.  6 Volumes.  24mo.  Price,  $1.80. 

SCHOOL  LIFE.  TOM  THORNHILL.  CROWN  JEWELS. 

ELLEN’S  MAY  DAY.  PL  EASU  R E A N D PROFIT.  TRUTH  AND  LOVE. 

BIRTHDAY  STORIES.  6 Volumes.  24mo.  Price,  $ i. So. 

MY  BIRTHDAY.  CHRISTMAS  TALES.  YOUNG  SAFPHIRA. 

WATERCRESS  GIRL  YOUNG  FISHERMAN.  THE  TWO  FAWNS. 


Boston:  JD.  Lot  hr  op  6°  Co.^  38  and  40  Cornhill. 


New  Illustrated  Gift  Books  for  Children. 


Libraries  In  Handsome  Boxes.  Each  Volume  sold  separately. 

MAY  FLOWER  SERIES.  4 Volumes.  Per  set,  $1.20.  By  Mrs. 

Mary  Latham  Clark.  With  many  beautiful  pictures. 

DAISY’S  MISSION.  KITTY’S  TABLEAUX. 

LITTLE  WHITE  MICE  BOY.  LITTLE  BLOSSOM. 

LITTLE  BERTIE’S  PICTURE  LIBRARY. 

LITTLE  BERTIE.  LITTLE  NORA.  TRUST  AND  TRY. 

THE  LAME  BEGGAR.  BROWN  PONY.  TOO  LATE. 

WILFUL  WASTE.  TH  E BLACKSM ITH.  GREGORY  GOLD. 

MINNIE'S  PROUD  HEART.  BEAUTY  BENSON  TRUTHFUL  JENNY. 
By  Rev.  J.  D.  Strong.  Price,  per  set,  $3.00. 

CHILD  LIFE  SERIES.  5 Volumes,  in  a Handsome  Box.  Price. 

#5-°o. 

CHILD  LIFE.  HAPS  AND  MISHAPS. 

LITTLE  LILLY’S  TRAVELS.  OLD  FRIENDS. 

NEIGHBORLY  LOVE. 

FAIR  PLAY  SERIES.  By  Rev.  J.  D.  Strong.  6 Volumes.  Illus- 

trated. Price,  $1.80. 

WINTERGREEN  GIRL.  FAIR  PLAY,  AND  OTHER  STORIES. 

KITTY  COLLINS.  BETTER  THAN  GOLD. 

SUSIE’S  WATCH.  BOLD  AS  A LION. 

GREGORY  GOLD  SERIES.  6 Volumes.  Illustrated.  Price, 

so- 

LiTTLE  BLOSSOM  STORIES.  5 Volumes.  Price,  $3.00.  Con- 

taining 1 19  beautiful  illustrations. 

TRUST  AND  TRY  SERIES.  6 Volumes.  Illustrated.  Price, 

$1.50. 

the  premium  story  books. 

PREMIUM  STORY  BOOK  FOR  BOYS. 

PREMIUM  STORY  BOOK  FOR  GIRLS. 

PREMIUM  STORY  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  FOLKS. 
Each  Volume  contains  8 full-page  illustrations.  3 Volumes.  Price,  per  set,  $2.70. 

The  above  books  are  new  and  very  attractive.  Teaching  the  best  lessons,  they 
are  adapted  for  Teachers’  Presents,  and  for  Home  Libraries  for  the  little  ones. 


Boston : D.  Lothrop  Co.,  38  and  40  Cornhill. 


Standard  Religious  Works. 


IMITATION  OF  CHRIST.  By  Thomas  A.  Kempis.  Price,  75 

cents.  Cornhill  edition.  A very  elegant  volume.  Bevelled  boards.  i8mo.  Red 
edges,  75  cents  ; full  gilt,  #1.25. 

RULE  AND  EXERCISES  OF  HOLY  LIVING.  By  Jeremy 

Taylor,  D.D.  In  very  elegant  binding.  Red  Edges,  75  cents;  full  gilt,  $ 1.2 5. 

RULE  AND  EXERCISES  OF  HOLY  DYING.  By  Jeremy 

Taylor,  D.D.  Elegant  binding.  Red  edges,  75  cents  ; full  gilt,  $1.25. 

CRUDEN’S  CONDENSED  CONCORDANCE,  price,  $2.00. 

The  most  complete  and  elegantly  printed  i2mo.  edition  in  the  market.  Tinted  pa- 
per. Turkey  morocco,  $4.50. 

1 

BUNYAN’S  HOLY  WAR.  Price  , 30  cents.  24010.  Muslin  binding. 
FOX’S  BOOK  OF  MARTYRS.  Price,  25  cents.  32mo.  edition, 

complete.  Illustrated. 

BUTLER  S COMMENTARY.  By  Rev.  Dr.  Butler.  Price,  $ 2.00 . 

The  Notes  are  brief,  pithy,  always  direct,  definite  in  aim,  and  excellent  in  spirit. 
The  author  is  manifestly  intent  on  one  thing,  and  that  is,  to  help  his  readers  find 
the  real  thought  which  the  Spirit  of  Truth  intended  to  convey.  i2mo.  Cloth 
binding,  large,  clear  type,  (letter-press,)  495  pp.  Illustrated. 

MORNING  AND  NIGHT  WATCHES.  By  Rev.  J.  R.  Macduff. 

In  very  tasty  binding.  Red  edges,  75  cents  ; full  gilt  sides  and  edges,  $1.25. 

MIND  AND  WORDS  OF  JESUS.  By  Rev.  J.  R.  Macduff. 

Red  edges,  75  cents ; full  gilt  sides  and  edges,  $1.25. 

THE  CALL  OF  THE  HOUR.  By  Wm.  Guest,  F.'G.S.  Price, 

40  cents.  Author  of  the  “Young  Man  Setting  Out  in  Life.”  An  earnest  tract, 
warning  against  Popery,  Ritualism,  Rationalism,  and  Intemperance  as  the  giant 
evils  of  the  hour,  to  oppose  which  all  evangelical  Christians  are  called  upon  to  unite 
in  prayer  and  effort.  Cloth  binding. 

PILGRIMS  PROGRESS.  Quarto,  illustrated.  Cloth,  $3.50; 

Turkey  Morocco,  $7.50.  32mo.  edition,  complete,  cloth  binding,  25  cents. 


Boston : D.  Lothrop  Co.,  38  and  40  Cornhill. 


Choice  Illustrated  Works . 


y wo 


LEGANT 


r 


RIZE 


y OLUMES, 


Abounding  in  freshness,  individuality,  magnetism,  and  character. 


SHORT-COMINGS  AND  LONG-GOINGS.  . 

Price,  $1  25 

LUTE  FALCONER 

< ( 

1.50 

NEW  BOOKS. 

THE  JUDGE’S  SONS 

Price,  $1.50 

HESTER’S  HAPPY  SUMMER. 

t t 

1.25 

ONE  YEAR  OF  MY  LIFE 

i t 

1 25 

LITTLE  BEN  HADDEN,  .... 

( 1 

1.25 

BYE-PATH  MEADOW 

1 1 

1.50 

BUILDING  STONES.  .... 

1 { 

1.50 

BLOOMFIELD 

1 1 

1.50 

THE  GOOD  GIRL 

1 1 

1.00 

THE  BAD  GIRL 

( 1 

1.00 

THE  GOOD  BOY 

( I 

1 00 

THE  BAD  BOY 

<< 

1.00 

HOURS  OF  CHRISTIAN  DEVOTION.  Tholuck. 

t ( 

2.00 

ALICE  BENSON’S  TRIALS. 

1 ( 

.75 

THE.  QUIET  HOUR.  Dr.  Lincoln.  . 

1 1 

.50 

CHILD  LIFE  IN  MANY  LANDS.  . 

It 

1.00 

SYBIL’S  WAY 

1 1 

1.25 

OVERCOMING.  ...  . . 

II 

1.25 

Bosto?i : L>.  Lot  hr  op  6s*  Co. , 38  and  40  CornhilL 


